AI in RAN (Radio Access Network): Transforming Mobile Networks
1h 49mBeginner2026-02-19
Authors
Rahul Kaundal
Itelcotech
Course details
Discover how AI and Open RAN principles are integrating to transform mobile networks into intelligent, self-optimizing systems. Designed for telecom professionals, architects, and strategists, this course breaks down how these cutting-edge technologies foster smarter, more efficient networks.
Learn about the evolution of radio access network (RAN) technology, the limitations of legacy architectures, and the emergence of Open RAN as defined by the O-RAN ALLIANCE. Get a primer on AI and machine learning’s role in network automation and optimization, and examine how Open RAN enables intelligence through innovations such as the radio intelligent controller (RIC) and its xApps and rApps. This course also introduces AI-RAN as a framework for embedding AI directly into network operations and goes over enabling technologies, including software-defined networking (SDN) and multi-access edge computing (MEC). Practical use cases, such as traffic steering and 3D MIMO optimization, are also included.
Learning objectives
Explain the evolution from legacy RAN to disaggregated Open RAN architecture and the role of the O-RAN Alliance.
Define core AI and machine learning concepts and their application in automating telecom networks.
Analyze the AI-RAN architecture, including the function of Radio Intelligent Controllers (RIC), xApps, and rApps for network optimization.
Evaluate the enabling technologies for intelligent RAN, including software-defined networking (SDN) and multi-access edge computing (MEC).
Assess practical AI-driven use cases for Open RAN—such as smart traffic steering and 3D MIMO—that enhance network performance and user experience.
Learn about the evolution of radio access network (RAN) technology, the limitations of legacy architectures, and the emergence of Open RAN as defined by the O-RAN ALLIANCE. Get a primer on AI and machine learning’s role in network automation and optimization, and examine how Open RAN enables intelligence through innovations such as the radio intelligent controller (RIC) and its xApps and rApps. This course also introduces AI-RAN as a framework for embedding AI directly into network operations and goes over enabling technologies, including software-defined networking (SDN) and multi-access edge computing (MEC). Practical use cases, such as traffic steering and 3D MIMO optimization, are also included.
Learning objectives
Explain the evolution from legacy RAN to disaggregated Open RAN architecture and the role of the O-RAN Alliance.
Define core AI and machine learning concepts and their application in automating telecom networks.
Analyze the AI-RAN architecture, including the function of Radio Intelligent Controllers (RIC), xApps, and rApps for network optimization.
Evaluate the enabling technologies for intelligent RAN, including software-defined networking (SDN) and multi-access edge computing (MEC).
Assess practical AI-driven use cases for Open RAN—such as smart traffic steering and 3D MIMO—that enhance network performance and user experience.
Concepts
Introduction
- Getting started
Introduction to Telecom and RAN Evolution
- Overview of telecom network
- Legacy radio access networks (RAN) - A primer
- The evolution path of RAN technologies
- Emergence of Open RAN - A paradigm shift
Primer on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Understanding artificial intelligence (AI)
- AI in action
- Machine learning fundamentals - A subset of AI
- Machine learning types - Supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement
- Applying machine learning in telecom networks
Openness in RAN with AI ML
- Disaggregation and virtualization in 5G RAN
- Open RAN architecture - O-RAN ALLIANCE
- Integrating machine learning in Open RAN
- Radio intelligent controllers (RIC)
- Near-real-time RIC and xApps - Intelligent use cases
- Non-real-time RIC and rApps - Long-term network optimization
The AI-RAN Revolution - A Strategic Transformation
- AI-RAN - The intelligent network revolution
- AI-RAN - The strategic transformation
- The building blocks of AI-RAN
- AI-RAN reference architecture
AI-RAN Challenges and Solutions
- The AI-RAN network challenge
- Programmability in RAN through SDN principles
- Overview of software-defined networking (SDN)
- Deploying software-defined networking (SDN)
- Multi-access edge computing - The key to ultra-low latency
- MEC deployment - Guide to edge orchestration using Open RAN
Three Ways to Implement AI in RAN
- AI for RAN - Building networks that learn in real time
- AI and RAN
- AI on RAN - Building intelligence into the mobile network
Applications of RAN and AI
- Smart traffic steering for QoE
- 3D MIMO - Optimizing the user experience
Conclusion
- Next steps