Smart mobile networks, self-healing capabilities, intelligent energy consumption: artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping virtually every aspect of the telecommunications industry. From network planning and operation to improving energy efficiency and maintaining service quality, AI is being applied to a wide range of tasks. Many of these applications are already part of everyday practice in Hungary.

CETIN Hungary has recently completed the modernization of its network infrastructure, comprising more than 4,080 base stations, with an investment exceeding HUF 120 billion. The company is actively exploring the potential of AI to enable more efficient and sustainable operations while enhancing the user experience. It has developed new capabilities for its modernized network and continues to expand them, integrating state-of-the-art AI solutions into areas ranging from automation and energy management to network administration. As part of a recent professional program focusing on the telecommunications applications of AI, CETIN Hungary reviewed, among other topics, how AI is transforming telecommunications together with AI expert Balázs Koltai.

„In telecommunications, the focus has shifted decisively from pure capacity expansion and optimization towards network intelligence. It is inspiring to see that at CETIN, this has already become an integral part of everyday engineering work. AI-assisted network planning and operations make processes more efficient and free specialists from routine tasks,” said Balázs Koltai, university lecturer and digital transformation leader. “In the longer term, base stations may evolve into distributed AI computing data centers (Edge AI), enabling networks to meet the zero-latency requirements of the latest technologies directly on-site. As users, we will all experience the benefits of this autonomous, proactive infrastructure.”

Artificial Intelligence Already Supports Network Planning

Artificial intelligence can analyze aggregated telemetry data generated through network usage, as well as user feedback. Based on these insights, it becomes possible to determine more accurately where and what level of capacity is required within a given geographical area, whether through the construction of a new base station or the expansion of an existing one. This AI-supported, cell-level smart network planning can contribute to improved coverage and the continuous enhancement of the user experience. CETIN Hungary is currently analyzing how this smart network planning approach can make planning processes much faster and more sophisticated and how significantly it can improve subscriber experience with the same level of investment.

Smarter Network Operations...

Once a network is operational, AI can also support its optimization. CETIN Hungary continuously monitors and evaluates its network using thousands of key performance indicators (KPIs). Artificial intelligence compares these indicators with forecasts of network traffic. This makes it possible to identify the 100 lowest-performing base stations, while the system assists in designing improved and optimized radio configurations, which are then integrated into the network. Based on predictive analytics, certain faults and anomalies can be addressed automatically, enabling the network to perform self-healing functions.

During network operations, expert engineers prepare detailed documentation and work tickets for detected issues, which form the basis for decisions regarding the necessary interventions. At CETIN, generative artificial intelligence is used to review these work tickets, identify missing information, and provide professional feedback. This helps ensure that only properly validated and documented tasks are executed, improving both the quality and efficiency of operations.

...And More Energy Efficiently

By continuously analyzing energy consumption patterns, artificial intelligence can identify operations that deviate from expected behavior. Early detection of such anomalies helps uncover hidden faults or irregularities more quickly, thereby supporting more efficient operations.

Based on forecasts of network load, the operation of individual network elements can also be dynamically adjusted. During periods of low demand, excess capacity can be temporarily switched off or placed into energy-saving mode without affecting customer experience. These so-called smart sleep towers can improve energy efficiency and support more sustainable network operations. CETIN Hungary's experience demonstrates that intelligent network management and power-saving functions can deliver annual energy savings of approximately 3 million kWh, equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of around 1,300 average Hungarian households. With targeted AI-based support, these energy savings could be increased by a further 20 percent.