PARTNER FEATURE: Intelligent connectivity enables transformational new capabilities in transport, entertainment, industry, and much more. For technical systems to digitally match human actions with connected environments, however, they must meet the speed of our natural reaction times. The networks used must be ultra-reliable, as many critical tasks will be executed remotely. And they will also rely on cost-effective edge infrastructure to enable scaling. According to GSMA, 5G could account for as many as 1.2 billion connections by 2025.

LG Uplus predicted benefits to its customer service and network investment planning as it prepared to commence a nationwide deployment of an AI-based 5G optimisation system. The operator stated it began testing the 5G AI set-up in July: the system analyses big data collected from a specific wireless environment in real time to optimise service quality, while opening the way for automated adjustment of antennas, offering cost-reduction potential by reducing the need for manual changes. In a translated statement, it said the system automatically adjusts the direction and angle of base station antenna installed on building rooftops to maintain optimal mobile service quality. It added the system can reduce radio wave signal interference and "help to prioritise future investments by automatically selecting regions that require additional facility investment such as base stations". Park Song-cheol, executive director of LG Uplus' Technology Operation Group, said 5G quality will increase with the use of next-generation network technology supported by AI.

Orange highlighted the importance of data and AI in its innovation model, marking their use as crucial for developing smarter networks and enhancing operational efficiency. At a webinar organised by the company today (18 May), SVP of Orange Labs Networks Emmanuel Lugagne-Delpon said AI could "bring value to almost every phase of the network lifecycle", including planning and design, investment optimisation, smart maintenance and security. He pointed to a use case from Spain where AI and machine learning (ML) were used to determine which sites were most profitable and how to reduce churn levels. This delivered a 10 per cent to 20 per cent improvement in its capex efficiency, with the operator now planning to replicate the model in other markets. In another example, Orange used AI to detect international call fraud, reducing related costs by €37 million, an approach Lugagne-Delpon said was "highly replicable" for other transactions.

In a bumper edition of Mobile Mix, Kavit and Diana chew over Apple's latest device launch. As always, the hype around its annual September event was big, so did Apple deliver? Elsewhere, Justin provides a twist on operator use of Artificial Intelligence and Joseph is in Singapore with highlights from 5G Asia.

INTERVIEW: Anand Prasad (pictured), chief information and security officer at Japanese startup operator Rakuten, reckons the full benefits of AI as a means of improving IT and network security will only be unlocked if people remain in the loop. He noted companies can't rely on AI to deliver 100 per cent of their security needs: while some issues can be detected using algorithms and machine learning, "after that you'll always need a human being at the end to have a 100 per cent secure system". Prasad reckons AI will never be perfect, so "there will always be a balance". The e-commerce giant's Rakuten Mobile unit plans to take on incumbent operators NTT Docomo, KDDI and SoftBank by launching a network in Japan in October. As an internet player, he said the company is using its IT experience to differentiate itself by taking a completely cloud-native approach, with plans to virtualise the radio network.

There is a strong case to be made that artificial intelligence (AI) is now the most central topic in technology. While the computer science that underpins AI has been in development since the 1950s, the rate of innovation has gone through multiple step changes in the last ten years. The technological reasons for this are well understood: the advent of neural networks; an increase in semiconductor processing power; and a strategic shift away from AI systems that rely on parameter-driven algorithms towards self-reinforced and multiplicative learning, machines that get smarter the more data they are fed and scenarios they negotiate. Development has been open and collaborative. The benefits of AI in process efficiency and, potentially, accuracy are clear.

Executives from some of the largest companies in Europe and leading academics gathered for the first meeting of the European Commission's (EC) AI4EU project, which aims to drive adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in a wide range of industries. The group's launch meeting in Barcelona, Spain, brought together partners from 21 EU countries with 79 organisations involved. Delegates included telecoms operators, technology companies, other enterprises and academic institutions. It is being led by French aerospace and transport company Thales Group and features experts from Telenor and Orange among its representatives. AI4EU plans to conduct a number of pilots across different industries to define the benefits and issues related to AI technology.

LIVE FROM GSMA MOBILE 360 SERIES – EUROPE, BRUSSELS: Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society (pictured), pledged to place the EU's underlying values and basic human rights at the heart of the artificial intelligence (AI) ethics debate, while urging a new collaborative approach to develop the technology. Gabriel said it was imperative to make sure the Commission's voice was heard during numerous discussions around AI ethics, as the international dimension of the technology grows. She said the world was already anticipating the consequences, some negative, brought around by AI, but insisted "we should not deprive ourselves from shaping up these changes". "It is our duty to ensure the technology is developed and safe, while accountability is clear. Choices should not be biased and we as humans [must] understand how the decisions are made," she said.

Amazon took a major shot at smart speaker rival Sonos, unveiling all the elements for a complete Alexa-enabled sound system including a slew of new Echo devices for the home and vehicles, along with updates to its Alexa artificial intelligence (AI) assistant. At an event in the US, the company announced audio equipment including the $130 Echo Sub (pictured), a 6-inch subwoofer which can be paired with other Amazon Echo devices to improve sound. It also unveiled Alexa-enabled amplifiers, the $200 Echo Link and $300 Echo Link Amp, to fine tune and boost sound quality in existing stereo equipment; as well as the $35 Echo Input, a plug-in device with four-microphones which adds Alexa to existing speakers. The company also rolled out revamped versions of its staple Echo smart home hub series, including: Echo Show ($230), redesigned with a larger 10-inch display, upgraded speaker system and integration with new content players including Hulu; Echo Plus ($150), featuring a new fabric exterior, a built-in Zigbee hub to connect compatible IoT devices, upgraded speakers and a temperature sensor; and Echo Dot ($50), also with an updated mesh fabric and better speakers. Amazon's effort to bring Alexa to as many devices as possible included the debut of the Echo Wall Clock ($30) to provide a visual display for timers, alarms and reminders; and the company's first smart plug ($25), which is essentially an Alexa-enabled timer.

AT&T sent its asset tracking technology skyward, teaming with UK-based packaging company Softbox Systems to demonstrate how the IoT and drones can be used to transport temperature-sensitive medical supplies. In a trial conducted in Puerto Rico, an LTE-connected drone was used to transport Skypod, a thermal-insulated packaging set-up produced by Softbox Systems which includes a so-called smartbox running AT&T's IoT technology. AT&T said in a joint statement the IoT technology allowed the test team to track near real time temperature and location data on a web and mobile app dashboard. The monitoring system was designed to send alerts if the box's temperature shifted outside a certain range, or if the drone strayed outside of geofencing parameters. The operator said the smartbox also recorded light exposure data, which can be used to determine whether the box is open or closed, and can signal whether the package has been tampered with.