Nokia and NVIDIA Collaboration Accelerates AI-RAN Deployment Across Global Operators

Why It Matters

AI‑RAN transforms cellular networks into compute platforms, unlocking new revenue streams and accelerating the rollout of AI‑driven services essential for future 6G ecosystems.

Key Takeaways

• AI‑native RAN co‑designed compute, connectivity, control from start.
• GPU acceleration boosts beamforming, MIMO, channel estimation efficiency.
• Edge AI inference reduces latency, offloads cloud, enables robotics use cases.
• New revenue streams: AI services, SLA‑based enterprise offerings at edge.
• Nokia‑Nvidia partnership drives trials with BT, NTT Docomo, Vodafone.

Summary

The video announces Nokia’s partnership with Nvidia to deliver an AI‑native radio access network (AI‑RAN) that blends accelerated computing with telecom infrastructure, positioning the solution as a bridge to future 6G networks.

Ajit Ed explains that AI‑RAN differs from traditional RAN by being software‑defined, programmable, and built from the ground up to run both RAN and AI workloads. GPU‑based parallel processing enables advanced algorithms such as beamforming, multi‑user MIMO, and complex channel estimation, while the platform supports three use‑case buckets: AI for RAN (efficiency gains), AI on RAN (new services like physical AI), and AI end RAN (shared cloud‑edge infrastructure).

The partnership has already produced a validated platform on Nvidia’s Ampere GPUs running Nokia’s anyRAN software, showcased at MWC and GTC. Early trials involve operators including BT, NTT Docomo, Vodafone, T‑Mobile USA, SoftBank and Ooredoo, and ecosystem partners like Quanta, Supermicro and Red Hat are joining to expand hardware and software support.

For telcos, AI‑RAN opens monetization avenues beyond connectivity—edge AI inference for generative AI, robotics, and enterprise automation, plus SLA‑based AI services. Faster software‑driven innovation cycles reduce integration risk, giving operators a competitive edge as AI workloads become a core network function and laying groundwork for AI‑native 6G.

Original Description

Nokia’s VP of AI-RAN and cloud-RAN, Aji Ed, outlines the fundamental architectural differences between traditional RAN and AI-RAN, explaining how the shift to software-defined, GPU-accelerated computing creates new monetisation opportunities for operators. He discusses three categories of AI-RAN benefits: AI-for-RAN (improving network efficiency), AI-on-RAN (enabling new use cases like physical AI), and AI-and-RAN (creating multi-purpose cloud platforms). Ed also details Nokia’s collaboration with NVIDIA and partnerships with operators, including trials with BT, NTT Docomo, and T-Mobile US.

Featuring: Aji Ed, VP, Head of AI RAN and Cloud RAN, Nokia

Filmed April 2026

#telecomtv #nokia #ran