Samsung acquires analytics firm Zhilabs to monitor 5G network performance

Samsung sign on headquarter building with sky in background
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Samsung has bought AI networking and analytics firm Zhilabs to boost its 5G network and provide a better user experience for customers.

The company explained 5G technologies will play a vital role in its future, as more devices need to be connected to secure, reliable and fast networks. It highlighted connected cars and the IoT as two areas where 5G services will be carefully considered.

Zhilabs' technology will enable the South Korean tech giant to analyse user traffic and work out the applications being used on the network to ensure the service customers are receiving is as good as it possibly can be.

"5G will enable unprecedented services attributed to the generation of exponential data traffic, for which automated and intelligent network analytics tools are vital," said Youngky Kim, president and head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. "The acquisition of Zhilabs will help Samsung meet these demands to assure each subscriber receives the best possible service."

Although Samsung said Zhilabs will be fully-owned by the company, it will continue to operate under its current management. Neither company has revealed what will happen to the other employees, although it's likely key roles, such as engineers, will remain to oversee the platform's growth as part of Samsung's networking business.

"5G technology will disrupt the communications landscape for the better, but it will only be successful if the quality of the networks transferring the information can be measured and improved to provide a best-in-class experience," said Joan Ravents, CEO at Zhilabs.

"We are delighted to be joining the Samsung Electronics family and adding a contribution with our software products and technology to the existing end-to-end solutions that the company offers its customers."

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.