Aira Technologies, a leading firm specialising in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within cellular network infrastructure, has successfully secured $14.5 million in a Series B funding round. This capital injection is aimed at propelling the company’s growth and accelerating its development of AI and machine learning (ML) solutions that focus on enhancing operating, energy, and spectral efficiency.
The funding comes at a critical time for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), who are facing an unprecedented surge in data traffic. These operators are tasked with improving their profitability while also seeking to reduce the total cost of ownership. Aira’s strategic vision seeks to leverage a data-driven and ML-powered approach to fundamentally transform the design, deployment, and management of wireless networks to boost their efficiency and performance.
Aira’s technology is generating considerable interest as it allows MNOs to significantly enhance their radio access network (RAN) architecture and associated performance metrics. This latest round of investment is set to further Aira’s ambitions of developing the RAN of the future—a fully autonomous, self-learning RAN.
In a notable achievement this year, Aira’s AI-based channel estimation and prediction platform, named xApp, was awarded the “Silver Badge” by the Telecom Infrastructure Project. Additionally, Aira and Intel collaborated to showcase a high-fidelity multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel estimation and prediction model, aimed at considerably improving the efficiency and throughput of 5G MU-MIMO technology.
Aira has also introduced Naavik, a generative AI platform that aims to revolutionise network operations through advanced automation and natural language processing. This platform is designed to facilitate intuitive and conversational interactions with network data, cutting down task completion times from months to mere days. By enhancing visibility, control, and automation within the RAN, Naavik strives to enable fully autonomous networks.
Key figures in investment and technology have expressed optimism about Aira’s innovative approach. Jon Chait, General Partner at IQT, stated, “The U.S. has a significant lead in GenAI/AI/ML, and it is vital for the U.S. to maintain this lead. The application of AI/ML to communications—a crucial part of the national infrastructure—is both novel and necessary. Aira’s work spans both of these important segments, positioning them as a strategic investment opportunity.”
Vikram Taneja, Head of AT&T Ventures, shared, “Our investment in Aira supports the ability to deliver more responsive and adaptive networks. We’re excited to be part of this effort to help drive the advancement of intelligent network innovation for the future of wireless communications.”
Additionally, Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President and General Manager of the Comms Solutions Group at Intel, noted, “We are excited about Aira’s approach to AI/ML and its potential for optimizing RAN performance and energy efficiency… Aira’s advanced technology, combined with Intel Xeon processors and Intel FlexRAN reference software, greatly simplifies AI/ML integration so operators can more quickly realise these performance and cost-of-ownership benefits.”
Aira Co-Founder and CEO Anand Chandrasekher emphasised the company’s commitment to the evolution of telecommunications networks, stating, “Aira is laser-focused on enabling the telecommunication networks of the future. A fully autonomous, self-learning RAN is the next frontier, and we are hard at work to make this a reality for our customers. We are delighted to see our partners and customers believe in our vision and invest resources to support our momentum.”
As AI continues to permeate various sectors, Aira Technologies is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, aiming to reshape how wireless networks operate in the future.
Source: Noah Wire Services