Vodafone and Ericsson trial mobile network AI for instant language translation and clearer calls

Vodafone and Ericsson have embedded AI in a test mobile network to successfully demonstrate instant language translation during standard voice calls, without customers requiring an app or modified smartphone.

The recent trial also featured live noise cancellation, improving call clarity for mobile phone users in busy or noisy locations such as train stations.

Multilingual AI network

During the trial, Vodafone and Ericsson showed how the use of AI in the network is revamping standard mobile voice calls. Engineers from both companies were able to instantly translate conversations between people speaking in English, Spanish, Italian, French and German. The feature can be easily expanded to support additional languages.

While the translation feature is not designed to replace specialist services, Vodafone believes it could help people arrange overseas travel, accommodation and restaurant bookings, conduct international business and communicate more effectively in emergencies.

Both the noise-free calls and the AI translation service used Vodafone’s application server and in-house AI platform in conjunction with Ericsson’s AI gateway and core network technology. Applications Programmable Interfaces (APIs) were then used to seamlessly bridge telecom and AI domains.

Core Network of the Future

The services form part of the companies’ joint ‘Core Network of the Future’ initiative, which develops and validates next generation technologies, including embedding AI, to transform the network into an intelligent platform for innovation, new services, and greater operational efficiency.

Delivering these services through the network rather than individual apps or devices makes them available by default to customers on any handset. This means Vodafone can introduce new capabilities for its customers, including consumers and businesses, across multiple countries at the same time.

Marco Zangani, Director of Network Strategy and Architecture, Vodafone, said: “AI is giving the mobile network back its voice. More than 50 years after the first mobile call, innovation is accelerating and shifting back into the network. Over the past few years, we have built the infrastructure, data capabilities and safeguards needed to unlock AI for our customers to converse more clearly.”

Nadine Allen, Head of UK and responsible for Vodafone Group at Ericsson, said: “This successful trial with Vodafone is a demonstration of how network-native AI can redefine the mobile experience. By integrating Vodafone’s powerful AI capabilities with Ericsson’s core network and media processing technologies, we are proving that sophisticated services like real-time translation and noise cancellation can be delivered seamlessly.”