At its core, AI network slicing allows multiple logical networks to operate over the same physical infrastructure, with each slice designed around particular performance requirements. GSMA identifies slicing as a core 5G capability for applications that need differentiated quality of service, including high bandwidth, low latency and predictable performance for areas such as industrial robotics and autonomous systems.

The arrival of 5G-Advanced strengthens the foundation for this model. 3GPP describes Release 18 as the first 5G-Advanced release, introducing further enhancements to the 5G system. Its work also includes enhancements around AI and machine learning for NG-RAN, including support for AI/ML-assisted network slicing and coverage and capacity optimisation.

This matters because future telecom infrastructure will have to support applications with very different requirements at the same time. A factory automation system may need highly predictable latency and reliability, while a large public event can suddenly generate a major increase in traffic. A single fixed network configuration cannot optimise equally for every situation.

AI can provide an additional intelligence layer by analysing network conditions and helping determine how resources should be allocated between slices.

From Virtual Networks to Intelligent Network Resources

Traditional network slicing already separates services according to defined requirements. The next step is making those slices more responsive.

An AI-enabled system can continuously examine information such as traffic levels, latency, network performance and service conditions. Instead of relying entirely on manual configuration, it can help determine when a slice needs additional capacity, when resources can be released and when network policies should change.

This is moving from predefined slicing toward adaptive slicing.

The development is already being demonstrated in live-network environments. In February 2026, an industry collaboration demonstrated an agentic AI-powered 5G-Advanced slicing solution in a live 5G network. The system monitored network KPIs including bitrate and latency, combined them with contextual information such as traffic, incidents, locations, events and weather, and automatically adjusted RAN policies to meet service requirements.

The demonstration covered the RAN, transport and core, showing why AI-driven slicing is becoming an infrastructure challenge rather than a feature confined to the radio network. It also used four operating modes: chatbot, on-demand, scheduled and autonomous.

That architecture points toward a broader change in telecom infrastructure. The network is not simply providing separate virtual paths for different services. It is beginning to acquire the intelligence needed to decide how those virtual resources should respond as conditions change.

Key takeaway: Network slicing is evolving from a static virtualisation capability toward a more adaptive infrastructure layer that can respond to changing service and network conditions.

The change is therefore not about replacing network slicing with AI. It is about adding intelligence to the infrastructure that already performs the slicing, allowing 5G-Advanced networks to move closer to intent-driven and dynamically managed operation.

RAIA Grid’s Role in Indonesia’s Digital Connectivity

RAIA Grid is built on IFT’s extensive 86,000-kilometre fibre network Indonesia footprint, connecting 5G towers, fibre-to-the-home networks and data centres across the archipelago. IFT is positioning the platform as a digital superhighway that will provide scalable, low-latency digital connectivity for moving data efficiently between the points where it is created, stored, processed and used.

The platform follows an open-access model, targeting telecom operators, data centres, cloud providers, hyperscalers and enterprises. By offering shared infrastructure pathways between data centres, cloud platforms, businesses and AI workloads, RAIA Grid aims to enable data and digital services to move more efficiently across Indonesia.

Hendri Mulya Syam, RAIA Grid’s president director, said the platform is designed to provide intelligent, adaptive and open-access infrastructure that enables greater scale, flexibility and digital connectivity across Indonesia’s expanding digital economy. “RAIA Grid is built with a clear strategic ambition — to become the digital superhighway connecting Indonesia’s increasingly complex digital ecosystem, from data centre to data centre, and ultimately connecting Indonesia to the world,” Syam said.

Network Automation and AI-Driven Operations

What distinguishes RAIA Grid from conventional fibre infrastructure plays is the deep integration of machine learning, AI and agentic AI into how infrastructure is planned, deployed and operated. IFT said the platform will support intelligent network planning and demand forecasting, optimise fibre routes and investment decisions, accelerate deployment through network automation, and enable predictive maintenance alongside more autonomous network operations.

These capabilities are intended to make the infrastructure more resilient and responsive, delivering the kind of AI powered digital infrastructure required to support increasingly complex workloads across Indonesia.

Supporting AI Workloads and the Zankore Connection

RAIA Grid also ties into Indosat’s broader AI ambitions. The project connects to the Zankore platform announced earlier in August by Indosat, Ooredoo Group, Nokia and Nvidia, which aims to deploy a 1GW AI factory serving Southeast Asia using Nvidia’s DSX reference architecture.

Indosat’s president director and CEO Vikram Sinha said that RAIA Grid is building the highway connecting data centres, cloud platforms, businesses and AI infrastructure, creating the foundation for a full AI stack. “By bringing together RAIA Grid, Indosat and Zankore, we are connecting the critical layers needed to make AI more real, scalable and accessible across Indonesia,” Sinha said.

Long-Term Vision for Indonesia’s Digital Future

IFT launched RAIA Grid with backing from Arsari Group. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, founder and chairman of Arsari, described the initiative as part of a long-term commitment to strengthen Indonesia’s digital capabilities by building the infrastructure, knowledge and talent needed to shape the country’s own AI future.

As Indonesia’s digital economy continues to expand, the combination of fibre network Indonesia coverage, AI-driven network automation and an open-access approach positions RAIA Grid as a significant addition to the country’s AI powered digital infrastructure landscape — connecting compute, data and intelligence at scale across the archipelago.

The project will introduce advanced 5G Smart City Infrastructure across the Marunouchi area, including 26GHz millimetre-wave spectrum with 800MHz of combined bandwidth, Tri-Band Massive MIMO and glass antenna technology. The development is designed to strengthen network capacity while supporting the expansion of emerging digital services.

Marunouchi is a major office and commercial district that handles large volumes of daily data traffic. NTT Docomo has already installed new base stations using technologies including glass antennas to improve communication quality. The operator said further infrastructure is needed as demand for digital services increases.

Addressing millimetre-wave deployment challenges

A key challenge for 5G Smart City Infrastructure in the district is the deployment of additional antennas without disrupting the area’s established architectural landscape.

Millimetre-wave signals have strong straight-line propagation but are more vulnerable to physical obstructions. As a result, antennas need to be installed in locations with suitable visibility, making dense deployment more difficult in a historic urban environment.

NTT Docomo and Mitsubishi Estate are therefore exploring urban antenna solutions that can be positioned effectively while limiting their visual impact. The approach is intended to allow 5G Smart City Infrastructure to expand within the district while maintaining the character of the surrounding architecture.

Connecting 5G, fibre and data centres

The companies are also considering the use of Mitsubishi Estate’s infrastructure assets, including data centres and fibre optic networks, to accelerate the development of communications infrastructure required for the smart city clusters.

The combination of wireless and fixed infrastructure could support a more integrated connectivity environment for the area. It also gives the project a broader role beyond individual 5G base stations, linking network infrastructure with existing digital and physical assets.

The initiative is intended to provide a blueprint for deploying 5G Smart City Infrastructure in other major urban areas across Japan. Future smart city projects are also expected to include wired communication environments using All Photonics Network technology.

The development shows how 5G Smart City Infrastructure is evolving in dense urban environments, where network expansion requires advanced radio technologies as well as infrastructure solutions that can work alongside existing buildings, fibre networks and data centres. For NTT Docomo and Mitsubishi Estate, the Marunouchi project provides a model for combining connectivity expansion with the practical demands of modern city development.

The facility, officially opened by the Hon Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Media and Communications and Minister for Space, is one of the first commercial AST SpaceMobile ground stations to become operational anywhere in the world. The satellite ground station will support the rollout of satellite-enabled mobile connectivity across New Zealand, targeting areas that fall beyond the reach of traditional mobile coverage.

Throughout August, engineering teams from 2degrees and AST SpaceMobile conducted trials at the site, successfully completing voice calls, video calls and mobile data sessions through the network. These tests were carried out using everyday mobile phones rather than specialised satellite devices, demonstrating the practical viability of direct to device satellite connectivity for mainstream users.

Extending Mobile Coverage Through Satellite Infrastructure

Once commercially available, the service is designed to deliver voice, data and messaging to customers carrying standard 4G and 5G smartphones, without requiring a satellite phone or additional hardware. This approach positions the satellite ground station as an extension of the existing mobile network rather than a standalone system.

2degrees CEO Mark Callander has highlighted the importance of building and operating a local ground station that allows calls, data and messaging to originate and terminate on the 2degrees core network without transiting any other country or jurisdiction. The operator has invested millions in the Marton facility to enable satellite connectivity for New Zealanders in areas outside traditional coverage zones.

AST SpaceMobile maintains partnerships with more than 50 mobile network operators globally, representing a combined subscriber base of nearly three billion mobile subscribers. Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer at AST SpaceMobile, noted that New Zealand’s early adoption of the technology and deployment of commercial ground infrastructure position the country at the forefront of space-based cellular broadband. He added that the integration of networks is advancing to deliver voice, broadband data and SMS directly to everyday smartphones without specialised devices.

Satellite Networks as Part of Future Mobile Infrastructure

The opening of the Marton satellite ground station, combined with successful service testing, marks a milestone on the path toward commercial launch. Callander confirmed that 2degrees will continue testing and announce timings for customer trials and a commercial launch in due course. AST SpaceMobile has outlined a launch roadmap under which service availability increases with each additional satellite deployed, and 2degrees has indicated it will offer the service commercially when availability reaches a level deemed viable.

The deployment underscores a broader industry trend in which satellite infrastructure is increasingly becoming part of mobile network architecture. For operators like 2degrees, direct to device satellite connectivity offers a pathway to extend mobile coverage into remote and underserved regions using the same smartphones customers already carry, bridging gaps that conventional terrestrial networks have been unable to fill.

Indotel’s Board of Directors approved the award unanimously after reviewing a report prepared by an evaluation committee. Viettel and Claro Dominicana were the only companies that passed the legal, technical and economic qualification stages of the Dominican Spectrum Tender.

Dominican Spectrum Tender Awards 260MHz to Operators

Under the spectrum allocation, Viettel was awarded 240MHz while Claro Dominicana secured 20MHz. The tender, which was launched in February 2026, was designed to expand spectrum availability, encourage investment and strengthen the Dominican Republic’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Indotel also offered a 30MHz block in the AWS band (1700/2100MHz) as part of the process, but this received no bids and was declared unclaimed.

Viettel Secures 240MHz Across Three Bands

Viettel obtained the right to use 240MHz under a 20-year concession. The spectrum allocation is distributed across three bands: 40MHz in the 700MHz band, 100MHz in the 2.3GHz band and 100MHz in the 3.6GHz band.

As a new entrant in the Dominican Republic market, Viettel, which is part of a Vietnamese group, must establish a company in the country. This new entity will hold the licence for the 240MHz assigned through the Dominican Spectrum Tender.

Claro Dominicana, meanwhile, acquired 20MHz in the 700MHz band for the remaining period of its current concession, equivalent to 15 years. This additional spectrum allocation gives Claro further capacity in a band widely used for mobile broadband coverage.

The general tender specifications also include a provision that allows up to 30 per cent of payments to be made through the execution of Indotel development projects, linking telecom infrastructure investment directly to national connectivity goals.

Spectrum Allocation Opens Scope for Network Expansion

The outcome of the Dominican Spectrum Tender is significant for the country’s telecom sector. Viettel’s allocation across the 700MHz, 2.3GHz and 3.6GHz bands will support capacity for both 4G and 5G services once a network is established. The 700MHz band is particularly well suited for wide-area coverage, while the 2.3GHz and 3.6GHz bands offer additional capacity for higher-speed data services.

At present, the main mobile network operators in the Dominican Republic are Claro Dominicana, Altice and Viva. Claro holds the largest market share alongside the most extensive nationwide coverage. Viettel’s entry through this spectrum award introduces an additional operator to the market, which could support broader competition and further telecom infrastructure development over the coming years.

The completed spectrum allocation reflects Indotel’s efforts to open additional capacity for mobile operators and attract fresh investment into the Dominican Republic’s telecommunications sector.

The radio access network, commonly known as the RAN, connects user devices to the mobile network and plays a central role in overall network capacity and performance. By embedding AI into this layer, operators can potentially handle more traffic within the same spectrum bands without requiring additional frequency resources.

SoftBank and Ericsson Validate AI RAN on 5G

The trial was conducted on SoftBank’s commercial 5G network rather than in a lab setting, which means the AI RAN software was tested under real-world conditions with actual user traffic. SoftBank defined the requirements for evaluation areas based on traffic characteristics, while Ericsson trained the AI-native scheduler model using actual network data. Ericsson also implemented and tuned real-time channel-capacity prediction and selection of optimal downlink transmission rates.

The AI model was designed to learn and infer how to respond to complex, constantly changing radio conditions. This included adjusting link parameter settings for users located at cell edges and in areas experiencing high radio interference, where network performance typically suffers the most.

AI Scheduler Improves Network Efficiency

The results showed measurable gains in spectral efficiency and downlink user throughput. Under the tested conditions, spectral efficiency improved by up to approximately 25 per cent, while downlink user throughput rose by up to approximately 50 per cent compared with conventional technology. Across all evaluation areas, both spectral efficiency and downlink user throughput improved by an average of around 10 per cent.

These gains were confirmed specifically under difficult radio conditions such as cell boundaries and congested areas. Spectral efficiency measures how much data traffic can be transmitted within a given frequency bandwidth, and improvements in this metric directly expand an operator’s traffic-handling capacity without needing new spectrum. The AI RAN software runs on baseband equipment at mobile base stations, enabling real-time AI-driven decision-making at the network edge.

Trial Supports 5G Advanced and 6G Development

The project forms part of the broader collaboration between SoftBank and Ericsson toward building AI-native RAN capabilities. Both companies said the demonstration confirmed that AI can contribute to high-performance, secure and flexible networks aimed at 5G Advanced and future 6G. 5G Advanced refers to the next evolutionary phase of 5G standards before 6G is expected to arrive.

Mobile operators around the world are increasingly exploring AI-based network optimisation as data traffic continues to grow. Applications such as generative AI assistants, autonomous agents and immersive services are placing more varied and demanding requirements on wireless networks, making efficient use of existing spectrum resources increasingly important. The validation of AI-native RAN technology on a live 5G network represents a practical step toward integrating AI into everyday mobile network operations.

The agreement does not constitute a binding commercial contract. Instead, it establishes a framework for both regulators to share information and experiences related to their respective approaches to telecom regulation, broadcasting regulation and broader digital connectivity challenges.

India and Singapore Telecom Cooperation Expands

The LoI between TRAI and IMDA is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge on how each country regulates its telecommunications and broadcasting industries. Areas covered under this cooperation framework include spectrum management, consumer protection, technological innovation and telecom market regulation. Both regulators have also expressed interest in coordinating their positions within the International Telecommunication Union framework.

India and Singapore telecom cooperation through this LoI is expected to help both nations learn from each other’s regulatory practices. For India, TRAI brings decades of experience overseeing one of the world’s largest telecom markets, while IMDA contributes expertise drawn from Singapore’s highly connected digital economy. The exchange is regulatory in nature and centres on policy learning rather than infrastructure deployment or commercial agreements.

TRAI and IMDA Deepen Regulatory Exchange

TRAI, as India’s telecom regulator, and IMDA, as Singapore’s telecom and media regulator, have formalised their intent to deepen cooperation on several fronts. The LoI encourages dialogue on how each authority handles spectrum management, supports innovation in the telecom sector and protects consumer interests.

This regulatory cooperation sits within the broader India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which covers a wide range of bilateral engagement areas. The telecom cooperation element adds a focused sectoral dimension to the partnership, particularly around digital connectivity and telecom policy development.

It is worth noting that the LoI does not announce any new spectrum allocation, network rollout or commercial telecom partnership. The agreement is a cooperation instrument that creates space for knowledge sharing and regulatory dialogue between the two countries.

Digital Connectivity Adds Broader Context

Digital connectivity has become an increasingly important area of bilateral engagement between India and Singapore. Both countries recognise the role that well-regulated telecom markets play in supporting economic growth and digital inclusion.

The 4th India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable provided the platform for this LoI exchange, alongside discussions on other areas of strategic cooperation. For the telecom sector specifically, the focus remains on strengthening regulatory frameworks and enabling cross-border knowledge exchange rather than announcing new infrastructure investments.

India and Singapore telecom cooperation through the TRAI-IMDA LoI represents a practical step in aligning regulatory approaches across two of Asia’s most active telecom markets. Both regulators now have a formal basis to continue sharing insights on telecom regulation, broadcasting regulation and digital connectivity as their respective markets evolve.

Seven Japanese telecommunications and technology organisations — KDDI Corporation, NTT, 1Finity (a Fujitsu company), NEC Corporation, Rakuten Mobile, Oki Electric Industry and Sumitomo Electric Industries — collaborated to develop the framework and announced the standardisation on 21 August 2026.

ITU-T Approves Framework as International Standard

Recommendation ITU-T Y.3335 is intended to provide a common technical basis for building Low Latency Energy Efficient Networks that work across multiple operators. The framework systematically organises knowledge accumulated through All-Photonics Network (APN) development and research into photonic network federation technology, which enables stable interconnection among APNs operated by different providers.

Crucially, the standard is designed to be independent of any specific organisation or implementation method. This means it could serve as a shared reference point not only for the organisations that developed it but also for operators, countries and regions beyond these initial efforts. The aim is to make it easier to achieve global-scale network interoperability and adoption based on broad international consensus.

Standard Sets Common Basis for Multi-Operator Networks

APN is a next-generation network technology that supports high-capacity, low-latency and energy-efficient communications. It is considered a foundational technology for future services including physical AI, sensors and remote robots, where real-time processing of data from distributed locations is essential.

Prior to this standardisation, the IOWN Global Forum had been developing common technical documents on APN architecture and functional requirements. Research into photonic network federation technology — enabling interconnection among APNs run by different providers — was also underway, with interconnection methods being evaluated using actual equipment. However, extending Low Latency Energy Efficient Networks beyond these existing initiatives required an internationally recognised framework built on broad consensus. That is the gap Recommendation ITU-T Y.3335 is intended to fill.

The approval from ITU-T provides a common framework through which APN services spanning multiple operators could be built. It is also expected to support telecom standards that enable high-speed, energy-efficient communication services even across geographically distributed sites.

APN Framework Supports AI-Era Connectivity

APN sits within Japan’s national strategy for next-generation information and communications infrastructure, forming a strategic field under the country’s Beyond 5G Promotion Strategy 2.0, promoted by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

The seven companies involved have stated they will continue to promote standardisation activities both in Japan and overseas. Within ITU-T, the group is also contributing to the development of a further Recommendation on functional architecture for Low Latency Energy Efficient Networks, with a target completion date of October 2028. This ongoing work is part of broader efforts to support the global adoption of APN and extend its reach as a basis for AI-era network interoperability.

The standardisation of ITU-T Y.3335 represents a structured step towards enabling next-generation photonic networks that can operate reliably across borders and between different telecom operators, with low latency and improved energy efficiency at the core of the design.

In May 2026, the MIIT granted the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group permission to use 6G trial frequencies in the 6GHz spectrum band. The approval enables engineers and researchers to conduct 6G technology trials in real-world environments, including urban areas and industrial facilities, to address practical challenges such as signal penetration and device interference. The move represents a clear shift from laboratory research to field-based testing for 6G development in China.

China 6G Development Moves Into Field Trials

China’s 6G technology trials follow a structured three-stage process. The first stage, focused on key technology trials, has been completed. The second stage, covering technical solution trials, has now begun. A third stage involving system networking trials will follow. The objectives across these stages include identifying key technological directions for 6G, developing prototypes for typical application scenarios and performance requirements, and building pre-commercial 6G equipment.

Commercial application of 6G is expected around 2030, according to the MIIT’s development timeline. More than three years ago, China released the 2023 edition of its radio frequency allocation regulations, which provided a reference point for global 6G spectrum planning. The early research into the 6GHz spectrum band and the granting of 6G trial frequencies reflect a systematic approach to spectrum management and resource allocation.

6GHz Spectrum Opens New Testing Phase

The approval of 6GHz spectrum for trial use is a practical step that allows testing under real-world conditions. Until now, much of the work around 6G had remained within controlled laboratory settings. With the 6GHz trial frequencies now available, the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group can validate technologies in selected areas, testing how 6G signals perform across different environments and use cases.

China 6G development is also supported by the country’s existing 5G infrastructure. In 2025, China added 588,000 5G base stations, bringing the national total to nearly 4.84 million. More than 330 cities now have 5G-Advanced network coverage. Existing 4G and 5G networks are not expected to become obsolete when 6G arrives. Research teams have explored the feasibility of achieving 6G-level transmission capabilities over current 4G and 5G links using semantic communications technology, pointing to potential integration between network generations rather than outright replacement.

Coordinated Pilots Support 6G Industry Development

In June 2026, the MIIT launched a joint provincial and ministerial initiative to coordinate 6G innovation pilots across regions. The programme, targeting activity through 2029, is designed to strengthen 6G technology research, standards development, industrial ecosystem building and the identification of application scenarios for next-generation mobile networks.

Provincial-level activity has already followed. Jiangsu province established a 6G industry alliance, while Hubei province released an action plan focused on innovation-led 6G growth. These regional efforts sit within the MIIT’s broader planning for a next-generation communication network, which involves both building new infrastructure based on emerging technologies and upgrading existing networks.

China 6G development now has a clear trajectory, moving from completed key technology trials into the technical solution phase, with coordinated national and regional programmes providing the framework for industrial progress toward anticipated commercial deployment around 2030.

Smart confirmed on Tuesday that the Batangas tests centred on showing how satellite-enabled connectivity can deliver critical communications when terrestrial networks are unavailable during emergencies. The company said the trials simulated disaster scenarios in areas where network infrastructure may be temporarily disrupted following a calamity.

Smart Expands D2D Satellite Connectivity Tests

The Batangas trial builds on pilot activities that Smart and Lynk Global conducted earlier this year in Catanduanes and Ilocos Norte. Through its partnership with Lynk, Smart has been exploring how D2D Satellite Connectivity can function as a backup communications layer when conventional mobile networks go down.

Smart officially signed a partnership deal with Lynk Global in October 2025. Lynk Global, now also known as Elveo Mobile following its recent merger with Omnispace, provides satellite to phone messaging technology that works with standard mobile handsets. The combined Elveo Mobile entity is planning a constellation of 320 low-Earth orbit satellites and is expected to also have access to medium-Earth orbit and geostationary constellations and ground stations owned by SES, which held stakes in both Lynk and Omnispace prior to the merger.

Batangas Trials Target Emergency Communications

During the Batangas tests, Smart demonstrated how Lynk’s D2D messaging can deliver emergency alerts and public safety messages directly to customers in affected communities. The trial showed how satellite to phone connectivity can support government agencies and emergency responders during critical situations.

Menardo G. Jimenez Jr., PLDT’s COO and network head, said: “As disasters continue to pose challenges to communities across the country, PLDT and Smart remain committed to investing in technologies that help ensure critical information reaches people when they need it most.”

The focus on emergency communications reflects the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters, where terrestrial telecom infrastructure can be knocked out by typhoons and other calamities, leaving communities without connectivity at the worst possible time.

Satellite Connectivity Supports Network Resilience

Smart is not alone in pursuing D2D Satellite Connectivity in the Philippines. Its rival Globe Telecom has been trialling Lynk’s direct-to-device service since October 2024 and commercially launched Starlink’s D2D satellite service across the country in June. Both Smart and Globe also hold memorandums of understanding with D2D provider AST SpaceMobile, signed in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

For Smart Communications, the Batangas trial represents a continued push to validate how D2D Satellite Connectivity can strengthen network resilience and ensure emergency communications reach people in disaster-hit areas. The expansion from earlier test sites in Catanduanes and Ilocos Norte to Batangas widens the geographic scope of Smart’s satellite to phone testing programme with Lynk Global.