NTT DOCOMO and VIAVI Solutions have successfully completed a joint study demonstrating AI?driven radio access network (RAN) control for next?generation 6G mobile communications. The results will be on display at VIAVI’s Stand 5B18 at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026.
In traditional beamforming, base stations select and control transmission beams based on network quality measurements reported by user equipment (UEs). In this demonstration, DOCOMO’s Self?awareness Network concept was tested using VIAVI’s digital twin and TeraVM AI RAN Scenario Generator (AI RSG) network simulator.
The results show that reducing control overhead can improve system throughput by up to 20%, since more wireless resources become available for actual data transmission.
The trial was run in a simulated environment modeling multiple base stations around the Tokyo Station area. Each base station chose the best beam for every UE from eight candidate beams, using predicted network quality instead of relying as heavily on measurement and reporting from the UEs.
The predictions were powered by the VIAVI AI RSG, with the underlying measurements generated by the digital twin.
DOCOMO’s Self?awareness Network concept uses AI and digital twin technologies to boost network performance and efficiency across diverse radio environments.
Network quality is evaluated inside the digital twin using data such as location and radio propagation characteristics to determine optimal network control. The network then acts on those evaluations, allowing AI to enable real?time adaptation to changing conditions.
DOCOMO and VIAVI will continue advancing their research on 6G mobile communications and further explore related technologies, including AI and digital twins.
Leadership Comments
“This demonstration shows that the Self-awareness Network concept significantly reduces the need for conventional network quality measurements and UE reporting,” said Ian Langley, Senior Vice President, Wireless Business Unit, VIAVI. “Intelligent technologies such as tailored network digital twins and AI-powered simulators based on 
high-quality, trusted, real-world data enable highly efficient network control.”
“AI and digital twin are expected to be deployed across a broad range of industries, and AI for network will contribute to the full spectrum of 6G values. We believe that this cooperation between the two companies will contribute to the realization of 6G technologies, including AI for network,” said Hiroyuki Oto, Senior Vice President, General Manager of 6G-Tech Department, NTT DOCOMO.
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