Samsung acquires Spanish company Zhilabs to analyze 5G networks

Samsung acquires the Spanish company Zhilabs, which specializes in analyzing network traffic using artificial intelligence. Samsung says it is making the acquisition to improve its 5G network technology.

Zhilabs was founded in 2008 and provides services to analyze and test networks. Using artificial intelligence, the Barcelona-based company says it detects problems and automatically implements solutions. Zhilabs has clients such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Vodafone and Telefónica.

Samsung says it is acquiring the company to ease its transition from 4G to 5G network technologies and to offer AI-powered analytics for 5G networks. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. According to Samsung, Zhilabs will continue to operate completely independently after the acquisition, with its own management.

The acquisition is part of the investment plans announced in August. At the time, Samsung said it was investing 19.2 billion euros in growth markets such as artificial intelligence, 5G and technology for autonomous cars. With 5G, Samsung is not only focusing on smartphones, but also on applications for autonomous driving, the Internet of Things and robotics. The company wants to invest aggressively to become a major player in the market for 5G chipsets and related equipment.