SK Telecom (SKT) and Nokia to work on AI assisted “fiber sensing”

SK Telecom (SKT) and Nokia have agreed to work on artificial intelligence (AI) assisted “fiber sensing,” a wired network technology that employs AI to monitor the environment around optical cables.  The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (see photo below) last Wednesday, with a plan to “accumulate empirical data based on machine learning” from SKT’s commercial network. SKT, South Korea’s largest mobile network carrier, said on Monday that it will utilize Nokia’s product to detect earthquakes, climate changes and other unexpected situations that might arise from nearby construction areas in order to stabilize network conditions.  The objective is nationwide deployment in South Korea by the end of this year.

In a joint statement, the companies explained when data runs through an optical cable, the phase of the light can change due to various factors like temperature fluctuations or physical strain on the cable. The changes can be detected and analyzed to provide precise measurements of the environmental conditions affecting the fiber. Using AI-based technology, SKT and Nokia aim to stabilize fiber optic networks in advance by tracking the impact of weather conditions and construction on optical cables. The statement added “fiber sensing” has no distance limitations, unlike some existing wired network monitoring technologies, making it possible to quickly apply the new technology to major backbone networks.

SKT-Nokia monitors wired network status with AI:

– Tracking the impact of weather, earthquakes, construction, etc. on optical cables with ‘fiber sensing’ technology
– Immediately applicable to existing networks and no distance restrictions, making it easy to apply to backbone networks
– Both companies’ capabilities will be combined to quickly internalize new AI-based wired network technology

A signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding took place at SK Telecom’s headquarters Wednesday in central Seoul. SK Telecom’s Ryu Jung-hwan, head of infrastructure strategy and technology, and John Harrington, Nokia’s senior vice president and head of network infrastructure sales for the Asia-Pacific region, attended the event.

SK Telecom’s Ryu Jung-hwan, head of infrastructure strategy and technology, right, and John Harrington, Nokia’s senior vice president and head of network infrastructure sales for the Asia-Pacific region, pose for a photo after a signing ceremony at SK Telecom’s headquarters in central Seoul on Wednesday, August 7th. Photo Credit: SK TELECOM

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In July, SKT and Singtel announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on building next-generation telecommunications networks that will drive innovation, improve network performance and security and deliver enhanced customer experiences over the next two years. The partners will explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI), orchestration tools, and deepen the domain knowledge of network virtualization and other technologies – central to laying the necessary building blocks for progressing to 6G.

References:

SKT-노키아, 유선망 상태 AI로 모니터링한다

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-08-12/business/industry/Nokia-SK-Telecom-to-commercialize-fiber-sensing-tech-for-first-time-in-Korea/2111085

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7228552138988134402/

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