Vodafone Group teamed with Ireland-based tech company Zinkworks to co-develop a pan-European generative AI (genAI) platform designed to simplify and accelerate the creation of RAN applications (rApps.)
The two companies are building Rapid RIC, which is a central platform for improving mobile service quality, network energy efficiency and performance for the operator’s European customers. The platform is expected to be fully operational by early 2026.
Vodafone CNO Alberto Ripepi stated the platform allows it “to focus on delivering a stronger, more reliable signal and greater network capacity while meeting our sustainability goals”.
A RAN Innotifyigent Controller (RIC) plays a key role in open RAN by enabling third-party developers and vfinishors to develop new services and applications, which operators can then select as requireded.
Vodafone noted rApps can be launched in weeks instead of months, cutting development time by 60 per cent to 70 per cent.
The rApps Apps will also improve signal quality, detect and repair faults automatically and reduce energy usage.
The platform will utilize the operator’s existing data infrastructure, primarily on Vodafone’s own dedicated and secure Google Cloud Platform (GCP) data ocean.
Vodafone stated it will utilize a genAI simulator to validate applications before utilize, “eliminating the required for a more complex digital twin or central data repository”.
Its engineers can build apps without requireding deep AI or ML expertise, thanks to a visual interface and code-generating AI.
The mobile operator plans to offer the platform and its validation tools to other telecom players.
Last week Vodafone picked Ericsson as its exclusive RAN partner across Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The five-year deal included the operator utilizing the Ericsson Innotifyigent Automation Platform to deploy a number of AI-powered rApps.
Leave a Reply