en.Wedoany.com Reported - LG U+ (LG유플러스) and Ericsson have announced a strategic partnership to jointly advance the development of network-based voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and the evolution of AI-native networks. The two companies plan to combine LG U+'s commercial service experience with its AI call agent "ixi-O (익시오)" and Ericsson's global network technology capabilities to complete technical verification within the year and realize next-generation communication services where AI operates as a core element of the communication network.
According to the collaboration details announced by the two parties on the 21st, specific projects include: technical development and system integration for implementing network-based voice AI; joint promotion of global business for voice AI solutions; design and implementation of AI-native network architecture; and pre-verification to adapt voice AI solutions to various global cloud environments. User experience in the AI era is shifting towards "Zero UI," where intentions are conveyed solely through voice. Voice AI serves as a natural and intuitive interface connecting humans and AI, characterized by its independence from specific terminals or operating systems (OS).
LG U+ plans to integrate AI with the network, evolving voice AI into a fundamental component of communication networks. This initiative aims to build an environment based on the operator's high-quality voice network that naturally connects and provides customers with the AI functions they need. In the future, users will be able to experience services where AI handles unwanted calls, connects only important calls, and provides AI assistant support during conversations. Additionally, various AI devices such as AI glasses and humanoid robots are expected to connect on the same network, officially ushering in the "AI Agent Era" where AI acts on behalf of users. To this end, LG U+ and Ericsson plan to collaborate to evolve the network into an intelligent platform capable of understanding user intentions and connecting appropriate AI functions.
Beyond customer-facing voice AI services, the two companies are also expanding their collaboration in the AI-native network domain, focusing on using AI to enable the network to autonomously perceive its operational status, optimize performance and energy usage, while advancing automation in fault response and service quality management. LG U+ plans to simultaneously achieve "Network for AI" and "AI for Network," creating a global case of network intelligence—the core competitiveness of operators. This partnership is based on discussions during LG U+ CEO Hong Beom-sik (홍범식) and management's visit to Ericsson's headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden on the 14th local time. Through this collaboration, the two parties will establish a mid-to-long-term cooperation system ranging from technical review to global commercialization.
