AI RAN – Smarter connectivity

Working in harmony, 5G Advanced, rApps, and AI RAN are the three foundational enablers in realizing programmable networks—built to be intent-driven, AI-powered, and service-aware. These key portfolio components empower communications service providers (CSPs) to translate business intents into real-time network actions, deliver superior performance across every use case, and unlock new revenue opportunities

What is AI RAN?

AI RAN refers to the full scope of AI integration across the RAN stack—encompassing centralized and distributed intelligence.

Ericsson´s AI RAN strategy, combines intent-driven networking and AI-native capabilities to deliver tailored performance for AI applications to support our vision of Networks for AI, where networks enable new transformative use cases and experiences for consumer, enterprise and public sector. Gain strategic insights into scaling AI efficiently, maximizing ROI, and enabling future-proof networks.

It includes:

Why AI RAN?

AI RAN transforms mobile networks in two fundamental ways:

• AI for networks: Improving performance, automation, and energy efficiency 
• Networks for AI:Delivering programmable infrastructure to support emerging AI-driven services.

Delivering real value today 

• Ericsson’s AI RAN solutions are already in use, delivering measurable improvements in performance, energy efficiency, and network automation.
• To support this transformation, Ericsson has developed AI-ready hardware platforms powered by Ericsson Silicon and the Ericsson Many-Core Architecture (EMCA). These platforms execute AI workloads directly within the RAN stack using massively parallel processing—minimizing energy consumption and rack space while maximizing performance and return on investment.
• The flexible architecture combines intelligence at the radio sites with centralized data centers, supporting both purpose-built AI and Cloud AI deployments with Open RAN interfaces that give CSPs freedom of choice.

Boost RAN performance and energy efficiency with AI native RAN

AI native RAN transforms mobile networks by embedding intelligence directly into the RAN architecture, enabling real-time optimization of performance and energy usage.

At Ericsson, the AI journey began in the 4G era with the introduction of the first AI native features. Since then, we’ve continuously advanced mobile network performance, delivering smarter spectrum usage, improved energy efficiency, and optimized traffic steering in 5G, with ongoing innovation paving the way for 6G. Today, AI native RAN represents a major leap forward, embedding intelligence directly into the RAN to enable real-time, intent-driven optimization. 

Ericsson’s AI native RAN software delivers measurable results for communications service providers: up to 20% improvement in throughput, 10% enhancement in spectral efficiency, and 14% energy savings through innovations like  AI Native Link Adaptation and MIMO Sleep mode. 

Accelerate your automation journey with intent-driven & AI native RAN

Breaking the operational complexity curve is made possible with intelligence. Distributed AI monitors and executes faster than the blink of an eye (microseconds) to optimize operations. Meanwhile, centralized AI collects long-term insights allowing for a higher degree of intelligence and further opportunities for automating and simplifying CSP’ operations and AI-powered automated solutions.

Moving towards AI-native RAN unlocks significant advantages:

• Scalability to handle higher levels of complexity
• Optimized decision-making with real time decisions for more efficient network operations

Maximize your ROI and be prepared for new subscribers and services demand

Ericsson’s flexible AI architecture is designed to scale with your business—delivering high performance today and ready for tomorrow’s subscriber and service demands. Intelligence at radio sites combines with centralized data centers, supporting purpose-built and Cloud RAN deployments. Open RAN interfaces give CSPs freedom of choice for seamless integration and future-proof evolution. Efficient AI scaling with minimal investment, maximum return.

Unveil the real value of AI RAN beyond the buzz. Watch the fireside chat with Meilke Erol-Kantarci, Strategic Product Manager, AI in RAN, Ericsson and Leonard Lee, Executive Analyst, neXt Curve.

Future-proof your network with industry leading and trusted partners

Ericsson plays a driving role in standardization (3GPP, ETSI, O-RAN, TMF) to define the technical frameworks that ensure interoperability across vendors and operators, while also contributing to industry collaborations such as the AI-RAN Alliance  to enable energy-efficient, future-proof networks:

• #1 RAN automation vendor in the industry ( 10+ confirmed trials in 2025)
• 44 Members of the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform ecosystem
• Largest contributor to the ORAN alliance with 18% of the technical contributions

Ericsson is recognized in the industry for AI deployments (GSMA, Telco AI Q2 report) and is partnering with other industry players to accelerate AI developments with initiatives such as AI RAN innovation center