Tokyo – Rakuten Mobile today announced a significant strategic collaboration with Intel, cementing AI at the core of the Radio Access Network (RAN) to usher in a new era of intelligent, efficient, and autonomous mobile networks. Building on a long-standing and cooperative partnership in virtualized RAN (vRAN) deployments leveraging Intel Xeon processors, this initiative marks a pivotal milestone towards AI-native vRAN evolution.

Together, Rakuten Mobile and Intel are focused on developing and deploying RAN AI-native capabilities to deliver unprecedented advancements across critical network functions. Key areas of innovation include:

• Enhanced Wireless Spectral Efficiency: Optimizing spectrum utilization for superior network performance and capacity.
• Automated RAN Operations: Streamlining network management and reducing operational complexities through intelligent automation.
• Optimized Resource Allocation: Dynamically allocating network resources for maximum efficiency and subscriber experience.
• Increased Energy Efficiency: Significantly reducing power consumption in the RAN, contributing to sustainable network operations.

"We are incredibly excited to expand our collaboration with Intel to pioneer truly AI-native RAN architectures," said Sharad Sriwastawa, co-CEO and CTO, Rakuten Mobile. "Together, we are validating transformative AI-driven innovations that will not only shape but define the future of mobile networks. This partnership showcases how intelligent RAN can be achieved through the seamless and efficient integration of AI workloads directly within existing vRAN software stacks, delivering unparalleled performance and efficiency."

Rakuten Mobile and Intel are engaged in rigorous testing and validation of cutting-edge RAN AI use cases across Layer 1, Layer 2, and comprehensive RAN operation and network platform management. A core objective is the seamless integration of AI directly into the RAN stack, meticulously addressing integration challenges while upholding carrier-grade reliability and stringent latency requirements.

Utilizing Intel FlexRAN reference software, the Intel vRAN AI Development Kit, and a robust suite of AI tools and libraries, Rakuten Mobile is collaboratively training, optimizing, and deploying sophisticated AI models specifically tailored for demanding RAN workloads. This collaborative effort is designed to realize ultra-low, real-time AI latency on Intel Xeon 6 SoC, capitalizing on their built-in AI acceleration capabilities, including AVX512/VNNI and AMX. 

“AI is transforming how networks are built and operated," said Kevork Kechichian, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center Group, Intel Corporation. "Together with Rakuten, we are demonstrating how AI benefits can be achieved in vRAN. Intel Xeon processors power the majority of commercial vRAN deployments worldwide, and this transformation momentum continues to accelerate. Intel is providing AI-ready Xeon platforms that allow operators like Rakuten to design AI-ready infrastructure from the ground up, with built-in acceleration capabilities." 

Poised to unlock new levels of RAN performance, efficiency, and automation by embedding AI directly into the RAN software stack, this AI-native evolution represents the future of cloud-native, AI-powered RAN – inherently software-upgradable and built on open, general-purpose computing platforms. Additionally, the extended collaboration between Rakuten Mobile and Intel marks a significant step toward realizing the vision of autonomous, self-optimizing networks and powerfully reinforces both companies' commitment to open, programmable, and intelligent RAN infrastructure worldwide.