Ericsson Launches AI in RAN to Boost 5G Performance, Efficiency and Automation

As AI-driven services grow, mobile networks require higher performance and smarter automation. Ericsson  introduced AI in RAN, a software subscription that brings telco-grade AI models into basebands and radios to boost efficiency, performance, and energy savings. This commercially scalable offering gives communications service providers (CSPs) immediate benefits for 5G networks and supports the shift to AI-native RAN without requiring additional hardware.

Ericsson AI in RAN introduces:

• Telco-grade AI models designed to run in real time within the radio access network (RAN).
• Continuous learning software powered by scalable, high‑quality data.
• Agentic AI support to enable advanced RAN automation and network operations

“Ericsson is redefining what’s possible in mobile networks by bringing powerful AI capabilities to service providers. With AI in RAN software, we are taking a major step toward AI-native networks, alongside the AI-ready radios we unveiled in February.”

– Mårten Lerner, Head of Networks Strategy & Product Management, Ericsson

Ericsson’s telco-grade AI models are designed for ultra-low latency inference at the microsecond level, delivering high reliability and robustness across diverse and dynamic RAN environments. Developed with deep domain expertise and trained on high-quality data, these models set new standards for performance and efficiency.

“Service providers need networks that are high-performing, secure and efficient in the AI era. With AI in RAN, Ericsson is bringing AI into networks to elevate 5G performance and efficiency through energy-efficient AI inference at scale.”

– Mårten Lerner, Head of Networks Strategy & Product Management, Ericsson

Proven in commercial network deployments

Ericsson AI in RAN works with Ericsson 5G Advanced across both purpose-built and Cloud RAN platforms to enable new AI-driven services. It puts the company’s AI for Networks vision into practice by using AI to improve network performance and efficiency. AI in RAN is designed to use the right AI model in the right part of the radio network, powered by Ericsson Silicon for energy-efficient AI inference in radios and the latest generation of RAN Compute, while the portability of Cloud RAN software enables AI capabilities to be deployed across partner platforms.

The first AI in RAN features are available in Q2 2026, with further enhancements later in the year. Some of these software features include AI-native Scheduler for Link Adaptation, AI-powered Macro Positioning, AI-managed Beamforming, AI-powered Multi-layer Coordination, Performance Management Event Schema Files, and Augmented Observability for AI in RAN.

Proven in more than 15 deployments and trials worldwide, Ericsson’s AI in RAN delivers up to 20 percent higher downlink throughput and up to 10 percent better spectral efficiency. It also supports up to 2x more high-traffic users, 90–95 percent coverage prediction accuracy, and achieves up to 5x greater user-positioning precision.

“Ericsson’s AI in RAN software marks an important step in bringing AI deeper into the radio access network. By enabling real-time optimization of radio performance, spectrum efficiency and user experience, it helps us turn AI innovation into practical value on live networks. We also see strong potential in how this foundation can support emerging AI-driven services, including Physical AI scenarios that depend on low-latency, highly reliable connectivity, and intelligent coordination between network and compute resources.”

– Teruyuki Oya, Senior Vice President & CNO, SoftBank Corp

“At Bell, we’re continuously evolving our network to meet growing demand for high-performance, AI-driven services. Integrating AI directly into the RAN is an important step in making networks more intelligent and efficient. Working with partners like Ericsson, we’re bringing these capabilities into our network to enhance performance, improve energy efficiency and deliver a better experience for our customers.”

– Bruce Dean, Senior Vice President, Network Technology & Operations, Bell

“Through our collaboration with Ericsson, SK Telecom is advancing AI-RAN to enhance network performance and energy efficiency while supporting more intelligent and automated operations. By combining research, real-world validation and software innovation, we aim to strengthen our leadership in AI-powered network evolution and help lay the foundation for AI-native 6G.”

– Yu Takki, Head of Network Technology Office, SK Telecom

“As Canada’s best 5G+ network, we’re proud to work with Ericsson and bring the latest 5G technology to Canadians. AI in RAN will help optimize network performance for customers in real-time and reduce energy consumption.”

– Mark Kennedy, Chief Technology Officer, Rogers

“This could be the best ROI for mobile operators in years. With a software upgrade, operators can squeeze more capacity, better observability, and more accurate location-based services out of the 5G network they bought years ago.”

– Joe Madden, Principal Analyst, Mobile Experts

Ericsson has introduced AI functionality across its products since 4G, and in 2021 added AI‑ready acceleration in RAN Compute. In February this year, the company unveiled Neural Network Accelerators in its Massive MIMO radios, increasing AI inference capability by 10 times.