VIAVI Solutions, a global leader in network testing and assurance, has announced the launch of a new portfolio of AI-powered tools aimed at transforming wireless network testing. The suite, unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, leverages machine learning to automate the verification and optimisation of 5G networks, with an eye on the forthcoming 6G standard.
The tools are designed to address the growing complexity of modern wireless networks, including network slicing, massive MIMO antenna configurations, and open radio access networks (Open RAN). By using artificial intelligence to analyse test data in real time, VIAVI says operators can reduce the time required for field testing by up to 50%, while also improving accuracy and consistency. The company emphasised that the technology helps detect anomalies that human engineers might miss.
For UK telecom operators such as BT Group, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2, the tools arrive at a critical juncture. The government has mandated that by 2030, standalone 5G coverage should be available across all populated areas, and data traffic is projected to triple over the next five years. Analysts at CCS Insight noted that automated testing could save UK operators tens of millions of pounds annually in labour and equipment costs, while also accelerating the rollout of new services.
VIAVI's announcement also has implications for UK investors and pension holders. The company's shares trade on the NASDAQ, but its technology is embedded in the supply chains of major UK-listed firms such as Spirent Communications and Rohde & Schwarz UK. Any uptick in adoption could boost revenues for these partners. However, analysts at Investec cautioned that the market for AI testing tools remains fragmented, and widespread adoption may take two to three years.
The launch comes amid broader industry efforts to standardise 6G, expected to hit commercial networks in the early 2030s. VIAVI's tools are designed to be forward-compatible, allowing operators to use the same platform for both 5G and future upgrades. The company said it is already trialling the technology with several Tier 1 operators in Europe and Asia.
Source: VIAVI Solutions press release, CCS Insight, Investec