AI in the RAN: A DSP Leaders Report insights discussion

Panel discussion

“AI in the RAN” is the latest release in our DSP Leaders report series. For the second year running, we asked mobile network operators for their views on how, when and why they plan to use AI in the RAN. Having published the results, we assembled a special panel of industry guests to discuss the key findings. Amongst the highlights discussed are:

• Is AI in the RAN losing its shine? Are we heading for an AI in the RAN digital divide?
• Do the AI-RAN Alliance proposals provide a useful foundation for mobile network operator strategies?
• Will AI-driven solutions impact RAN traffic within the next five years?
• Should industry standards define how AI-related data and operations are handled in the RAN for 6G?

Featuring:

• Beth Cohen, Product Strategy Consultant, Verizon
• Ghyslain Pelletier, VP of Technology, Wireless Standards, InterDigital
• Patrick Kelly, Founder, Partner, and Principal Analyst, Appledore Research

Sponsored by:

The AI in the RAN Report - published November 2025

The AI in the RAN Report is a 24-page editorial publication that provides insights for the whole industry into how mobile network operators are thinking about using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their day-to-day operations and, indeed, how they are already doing so.

The report is based on the results of a survey conducted with mobile network operator (MNO) executives during September and early October 2025. We received responses from 44 qualified respondents who work at MNOs across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. The respondents range from the very top level of decision-makers through to network operations team members, with about a third holding CXO (CEO, CTO, CTIO etc) or director job titles.

For the second year running, we sought their views on how, when and why they plan to use AI in the RAN and asked them to share specific insights into the ways in which MNOs can benefit from AI deployments. We also asked a set of new questions related to the impact of AI traffic on the RAN and how AI should fit into 6G standards considerations.

This free report will tell you:

• How MNOs are approaching the use of AI in the RAN
• When they expect AI to have a positive impact on operations
• What MNOs are thinking about AI skills, procurement and the impact of AI on their networks, and how AI should be addressed by the 6G standards bodies.