6G Flagship launches 6G-ROCKET to build AI-native radio networks

A new €1.4 million research and development project called 6G-ROCKET has started to accelerate AI and machine learning solutions for future 6G radio access networks. The University of Oulu’s 6G Flagship leads the project, supported by Business Finland’s 6G Bridge programme. The team includes Nokia, NVIDIA, DNA, Keysight, and MediaTek, along with Northeastern University (Boston) and the University of Tokyo as international partners.

The project builds on a GPU-accelerated AI-RAN testbed connected to the University of Oulu’s 5G/6G Test Network. The project aims to advance global progress in AI-RAN by combining 6G Flagship’s wireless research with its partners’ industry experience.

“6G-ROCKET is about building the foundations for AI-native mobile networks where communication, sensing and intelligence work together seamlessly. Our goal is to move beyond simulations and demonstrate practical AI-RAN technologies in GPU-accelerated testbeds. Through this project, Finland continues to strengthen its leadership in 6G research, innovation and future wireless ecosystems,” says Dileepa Marasinghe, AI-RAN Research Manager at 6G Flagship, University of Oulu, Finland.

“By integrating intelligence directly into the radio access network with AI-RAN, we are turning the base station from a signal processor into a high-performance computing node that can also interpret changes in the physical environment. It allows the network to see, reason and react in milliseconds, which is essential for robotics. The 6G-ROCKET project in collaboration with NVIDIA is advancing 6G research for physical intelligence, helping developers build, test and optimize their next breakthrough on NVIDIA AI-RAN platforms,” says Soma Velayutham, Vice President, Telecoms, NVIDIA.

From reactive to proactive

Most mobile networks today are reactive, relying on manual adjustments and separate AI tools. 6G-ROCKET aims to change this by creating AI-native RAN technologies that proactively anticipate needs. The project covers AI-native RAN designs, real-time digital twins for network optimization and control, GPU-accelerated testing platforms, multi-sensor perception for better awareness, and autonomous network management based on intent.

The project puts AI directly into the radio access network, making intelligence a native part of the RAN architecture rather than an add-on capability. This approach builds proactive capabilities into the network from the start. This makes the network flexible and scalable, rather than simply adding a perception system to existing networks.

Partners across the full AI-RAN stack

Each partner in the consortium brings in their complementary expertise. 6G Flagship brings with it its wireless research and the University of Oulu’s 5G/6G test network infrastructure. Nokia, in turn, offers expertise in mobile network systems and AI-native RAN evolution. NVIDIA provides AI-RAN infrastructure and AI Aerial open-source software libraries and tools. Keysight contributes expertise in digital twin technologies, including simulation, testing, and validation capabilities. MediaTek provides chipsets and user-equipment expertise. DNA offers operator insight and real-world network experience. Northeastern University and the University of Tokyo add international research collaboration to align the work with global AI-RAN and 6G efforts.

The project also supports Finland’s broader 6G strategy by strengthening connections between universities and industry and by helping develop the standards, technologies, and skills the country will need.

“As an operator, we want to help ensure that future network technologies are developed around real customer needs and can be tested in practical environments from an early stage. 6G-ROCKET brings together world-class research, technology companies and operator experience in a highly valuable way. For DNA, the project is an opportunity to influence how AI-native networks develop, while gaining practical insight into solutions that can improve network efficiency, reliability and future services,” says Sari Leppänen, CTO at DNA.

“Validating AI-driven networks requires precise, repeatable measurements under realistic conditions. Keysight is pleased to contribute its simulation, measurement, and channel validation expertise to 6G-ROCKET, helping the consortium advance from concept to demonstrated performance,” says Michael Dieudonne, 6G R&D Manager at Keysight Technologies.

“Device-side intelligence is essential to closing the loop between network and terminal. MediaTek is glad to bring its chipset and user-equipment expertise to 6G-ROCKET, helping ensure these AI-RAN innovations work end to end,” says Chih-Ming Hung, Associate Vice President, Technology, MediaTek.

What will the next two years deliver

In the next two years, 6G-ROCKET will create technology blueprints and prototype demos to prepare for smart, sensing-enabled AI-RAN and future 6G networks. The project also plans to establish an AI-RAN Perception Lab at the University of Oulu. This lab will support ongoing collaboration between universities and industry and help Finland remain a leader in 6G and AI-native wireless research.

Besides technology, the project aims to strengthen Finland’s 6G plans and global reputation, build local expertise in AI-native RAN and wireless innovation, encourage new international partnerships, and grow Finland’s workforce and skills in AI and wireless communications.

By bringing together advanced AI computing, wireless systems, and real-world testing, 6G-ROCKET is moving toward the next generation of smart, adaptable 6G networks.

6G-ROCKET builds on years of expertise at the University of Oulu. Watch how real-time digital twins are used to enable the proactive network decisions that are at the heart of our new project.