Net AI claims its Microscope software is superior to Deep Packet Inspection

A new company has spun out of the University of Edinburgh hoping to reduce 5G hardware costs by using AI.

Net AI’s Microscope software can eliminate the need for expensive computing resources that are required to process raw data offline, the firm suggested.

The company claims its AI and cloud computing techniques “provide real-time insights into network demand, telling mobile network operators exactly what services are being used at any location at any given moment, and in what amount.”

"Having a unique AI technology such as Microscope puts us on the world 5G map and will enable us to engage with confidence with leading players in this space," said Dr. Paul Patras, co-founder and CEO of Net AI.

“We now seek to attract top talent to join our team and accelerate market introduction. Ultimately, we aim to develop a market-leading platform for mobile traffic decomposition and deep analysis.”

I would walk 5G miles

Net AI was founded in February this year, claiming to be Scotland’s first network intelligence company.

Its software is based on more than five years of research led by Dr. Patras, who is also an associate professor at the University's School of Informatics.

The company was launched with “significant” seed investment from several venture funds, though no figures were released. It is supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s research commercialization service.

Net AI was chosen to receive funding via the post-COVID AI Accelerator, which provides cash to innovative startups to help them get off the ground or accelerate their work.

Dr. Patras and his team have also received support from the University’s Data-Driven Entrepreneurship (DDE) AI Accelerator and the DDE Fast Track Executive Designate Program.

Resource management systems rely on deep packet inspection (DPI) equipment installed at different points in the network.

Net AI argues that DPI is “expensive, difficult to upgrade, it may slow down the network and does not work with encrypted data, which accounts for a growing share of today’s traffic.”

Instead, it contends that its customers can receive accurate breakdowns of data demand on an application-by-application basis via one platform.

“This technology has great promise,” said Dr. George Baxter, CEO of Edinburgh Innovations.

“We’re proud to support Dr. Patras to take his discoveries from the lab into the marketplace, which will ultimately bring far-reaching benefits.”

Net AI joins the likes of pureLifi and Ediburgh Molecular Imaging that were all spun out of the University.

The former’s tech promises to delivcer 1,000 times the data density of Wi-Fi, while the latter is able to help clinicians detect diseases during surgeries.