Verizon Deploys AI-Powered RAN Intelligent Controller in Multi-Vendor Collaboration

Verizon Pioneers AI Integration in Open RAN Technology

Verizon, in collaboration with Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm Technologies, has successfully deployed a multi-vendor RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) in its commercial network, marking a significant milestone in Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) technology 1

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. This deployment demonstrates Verizon's commitment to leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance network efficiency and customer experience.

Understanding RAN Intelligent Controller

The RAN Intelligent Controller is a software-based component within a mobile network's Radio Access Network that utilizes AI and automation to optimize network performance 2

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. It's a key element of the Open RAN architecture, enabling the integration of third-party applications to enhance network capabilities. The RIC controls applications called rApps that leverage data and insights from the RAN to improve various aspects of mobile communication, such as coverage, capacity, efficiency, and service quality 1

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Multi-Vendor Collaboration for Energy Efficiency

In this groundbreaking deployment, Verizon integrated Samsung's AI-powered Energy Saving Manager (AI-ESM) with Qualcomm's Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite's RIC 3

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. This collaboration resulted in significant energy savings, with Verizon achieving an average energy savings gain of 15%, and a maximum of 35% per sector during low traffic periods in various field tests 3

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Advancing Open RAN and AI Integration

Adam Koeppe, Senior Vice President of Network Technology, Strategy, and Planning at Verizon, emphasized the company's commitment to O-RAN, stating, "Verizon has been driving innovation in and adoption of O-RAN throughout the industry because we believe an open and standardized network drives more competition, more innovation, and increased supplier diversity" 1

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. The introduction of the RAN Intelligent Controller allows for greater flexibility and control over network operations.

Impact on Network Performance and Sustainability

Samsung's AI-ESM enables Verizon to maximize network energy efficiency without compromising performance or user experience. The system intelligently identifies site environments, learns traffic patterns, and evaluates impact on network performance to find optimal threshold values for power conservation 3

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. This approach aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and efficient network operations in the era of 5G and beyond.

Future Implications and Industry Collaboration

The successful deployment of the multi-vendor RIC represents a significant step towards democratizing RAN AI and fostering a diverse ecosystem in the telecommunications industry. Ofir Zemer, VP of Product Management at Qualcomm Israel Ltd., highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, "By enabling a vendor-neutral rApp marketplace, empowered by a set of RAN AI services, we are jointly fostering a diverse ecosystem and supporting a path of democratizing RAN AI" 1

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As the world moves towards a more interconnected future, this advancement in AI-powered network management positions Verizon at the forefront of efficient, adaptive, and scalable network operations. The company's focus on AI integration and Open RAN technology demonstrates its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of customers while driving innovation in the telecommunications industry.