A recent series of surveys, research reports, and models on the impact of AI on mobile networks was conducted recently by Mobile Experts, as the company sought to understand how AI and ML impact telecom traffic and potentially clog up the 5G network, as well as the ability of AI/ML to add capacity to the network.
The first step in the analysis was to investigate the adoption of AI assistant applications in smartphones. Initial usage of applications such as ChatGPT has had very little impact on the 5G network because it sends text or simple photos.
Further usage of AI and augmented reality applications, however, will significantly drive higher levels of traffic due to the use of video. Mobile Experts modelling indicates that, if high frame rates and resolutions are used, the demand for uplink data will outstrip capacity of the 5G network in urban areas.
The second step in the research series examines the use of AI/ML to optimise 5G networks, adding capacity by ‘tuning up’ the 5G network for optimal performance. Mobile Experts analysts were able to separate the impact of real-time and non-realtime AI models, getting into the details of channel state estimation, beam coordination, traffic steering, and other algorithms in the 5G network. With a detailed view of how the optimisations will be implemented, the MEXP team was able to quantify the amount of added capacity to be gained in the network, as well as the potential revenue in software, training, compute hardware, and IP licenses.
Thirdly, the team put both sides together in a model of 5G network demand – separately modelling uplink and downlink demand – compared with a model of 5G network capacity in dense urban areas.
The conclusion that was drawn from the analysis is that AI assistants and AR will strain the 5G network, but AI-for-RAN optimisation will create more capacity than consumer applications will use, at least through 2030.
Mobile Experts will be updating the enterprise/IoT impact of AI video over the next two years to watch for another big wave of demand.
“New applications are coming to your smartphone, taking advantage of on-device AI processing capability,” said Joe Madden, Principal Analyst, Mobile Experts. “We have been able to identify which apps will run on your phone, and which ones will require network connectivity. The frame rates, resolution, and persistence of video inputs will have a profound impact on the 5G network.
“Our research investigates the holistic impact of AI on 5G networks. Will AI apps consume all of the bandwidth? Or will AI create more bandwidth in the network? Which impact will be greater? We now have answers.”
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