How VIAVI Solutions Is Tackling the Trust Problem in AI-RAN

Why It Matters

Establishing trustworthy AI‑RAN frameworks enables telecom operators to cut costs and accelerate 6G rollout, reshaping competitive dynamics in the industry.

Key Takeaways

• AI reduces network complexity, boosting performance and lowering costs
• Operator trust remains biggest hurdle for AI-driven RAN adoption
• Viavi leads AI‑RAN Alliance, standardizing trustworthy data pipelines
• Quality data is fuel; Viavi's Data‑for‑AI initiative ensures integrity
• fallback mechanisms to legacy systems mitigate AI decision risks

Summary

The video outlines Viavi Solutions’ strategy for overcoming the trust deficit that hampers AI‑RAN deployment. By positioning itself at the forefront of the AI‑RAN Alliance, Viavi is pushing standard‑setting work that couples automation with reliable fallback to legacy processes, a crucial reassurance for operators accustomed to deterministic networks.

The speaker emphasizes AI’s core value: handling uncertainty and complexity to deliver better performance, lower operating costs, and increased automation. Yet, the primary obstacle is operator confidence; they need guarantees that AI decisions are dependable and that a manual override exists if outcomes falter. Concurrently, 6G standardization efforts are already in motion, with AI‑RAN identified as a key pillar.

Viavi’s “Data for AI” initiative is highlighted as a concrete example of building trust. By curating high‑quality, clean data—described as the “fuel” for AI—the company aims to ensure model integrity and reproducibility. The initiative also contributes to industry‑wide data standards, reinforcing the alliance’s credibility.

If successful, these measures could accelerate AI adoption across mobile networks, reduce capex and opex, and smooth the transition to 6G. Operators would gain confidence to delegate more decisions to intelligent systems, unlocking new revenue streams while maintaining service reliability.

Original Description

AI is beginning to reshape the radio access network - but one challenge still looms large for operators: trust.

FNTV's Tommy Clift speaks with Ian Wong of VIAVI Solutions about how AI is being introduced into the RAN as the industry looks ahead to 6G.

AI promises significant gains for operators - from improved network performance and lower operational costs to greater automation across increasingly complex systems. But shifting decision-making toward AI also raises questions around reliability, control and how operators maintain confidence in automated network operations.

VIAVI is working closely with the industry to address these challenges, including its role in the AI-RAN Alliance and its leadership of the Data for AI initiative, focused on ensuring high-quality, trustworthy data for training AI systems.

As AI becomes embedded in the network, building trust - in both the technology and the data behind it - will be critical to its success.