Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 1 day ago
Ericsson says AI software could boost existing 5G network performance by up to 30%
Ericsson says telecom operators can use AI software to improve the performance of existing 5G networks by 25% to 30%.
The company says much of its equipment supplied in 2025 and 2026 can support these features through software upgrades.
That could help Indian operators such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel get more value from networks they have invested billions of dollars to build.
Operators would still need to buy and deploy the software, and the upgrades available would depend on the age of their equipment and the features they want.
Ericsson says operators do not need to wait for 6G to start using AI in network management.
New hardware will eventually be needed for additional frequency bands and other 6G capabilities.
Ericsson's technology chief said India could adopt 6G as early as 2029 or 2030 if the wider device ecosystem is ready.
Ericsson says artificial intelligence software could improve existing 5G network performance by 25-30% without necessarily requiring additional hardware.
Ericsson chief technology officer Erik Ekudden said much of the company’s equipment supplied in 2025 and 2026 can support AI features.
Operators could introduce AI capabilities progressively through software, depending on the age of their equipment and the features they want.
Ericsson says operators do not need to wait for 6G or GPUs to benefit from AI in radio access networks.
Ekudden said India could adopt 6G as early as 2029 or 2030 if the wider device ecosystem matures.
- Who
- Ericsson and telecom operators, including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
- What
- Ericsson says AI software could improve existing 5G network performance by 25-30%, without necessarily requiring additional hardware.
- When
- The report was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- India; the article is datelined Mumbai.
- Why
- Operators can use AI software to improve existing networks and potentially monetise their 5G investments without waiting for 6G.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Customers do not necessarily incur an additional hardware cost because this capability is part of the Ericsson products they buy. They do not need to wait for GPUs or 6G to benefit from AI. Software can already deliver gains of 25-30%, and performance will continue to improve as new generations of AI models and software run on existing hardware
The AI industry needs a degree of self-control to prevent rogue agents from being unleashed on society
Indian telecom operators have invested billions of dollars in rolling out nationwide 5G networks.
Ericsson supplied equipment that Ekudden said was largely capable of supporting AI features.
Ekudden said a large part of Ericsson’s equipment was already upgradeable for AI features.
Ekudden said India could potentially become an early 6G adopter if the broader device ecosystem matures.
- Potential performance gain
- 25-30%
- Equipment period cited
- 2025 and 2026
- Operators named
- Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel
- Possible early 6G adoption in India
- 2029 or 2030
Sources
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