NEC Corporation (NEC) has introduced a near real-time RAN (Radio Access Network) Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC) platform and RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller) applications designed to optimize network performance in line with O-RAN Alliance specifications for virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN).
Given the rapid adoption of advanced technologies such as generative AI (GenAI), the demand for high-performing 5G infrastructure has intensified. To meet these evolving needs, NEC’s Near-RT RIC enables flexible, intelligent, network control via general-purpose hardware, allowing dynamic customization of base station settings based on service demands and network conditions.
Network News: NEC Reveals Solution to Modernize Telco Infrastructure
Key Features of NEC’s Near-RT RIC
- Load Balancing Between Cells: Adjusts network traffic to enhance throughput in congested areas.
- Service Level Agreement (SLA) Guarantee for Slices: Optimizes radio resources to ensure quality of service (QoS) even during peak usage.
- High Reliability with Acceptable Latency: Uses AI to manage radio signals, ensuring critical data reaches users within an acceptable time frame.
By separating RIC control from traditional RAN functions and running it on a virtualized platform, NEC’s solution accelerates AI-driven network innovations while reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).
Proven Performance in 5G vRAN Trials
NEC tested its high-reliability RIC function in an indoor 5G vRAN environment, demonstrating a significant reduction—down to one-sixth—in network packet delays beyond the acceptable threshold when used for mobile robot control.
NEC plans to expand Near-RT RIC applications to further enhance network quality, reduce energy consumption, and improve operational autonomy, paving the way for the next generation of vRAN and Beyond 5G/6G advancements.
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