Erbil:Verizon and Ericsson are collaborating to advance autonomous networks by integrating artificial intelligence into Radio Access Network (RAN) automation. This collaboration will facilitate the nationwide deployment of the Ericsson Intelligent Controller (EIC) and support the use of AI-native rApps from both Ericsson and Verizon.

According to Ericsson in Tunisia, the collaboration aims to enhance performance across mobility and Fixed Wireless Access, with Verizon utilizing the Ericsson Intelligent Controller and rApps in a live environment. This initiative has demonstrated significant improvements in throughput and efficiency through AI cell shaping of Massive MIMO and traffic steering.

The deployment also highlights the agility of an open, programmable network environment, allowing Verizon to use the EIC as an open standards-based platform to implement self-designed rApps. Verizon successfully conducted a Connected Mode Inter-Radio Access Technology Handover from LTE to Standalone 5G for Fixed Wireless Access devices, which eliminates the need for manual intervention on handover failures.

Verizon plans to implement the EIC across the country this year and will test and deploy new rApps, including self-developed and Ericsson-provided rApps such as the Cell Anomaly Detector rApp, Root Cause Explainer rApp, and Anomaly General Optimizer rApp. These efforts are part of Verizon's strategy to accelerate its network autonomy journey towards Level 4.

The Ericsson Intelligent Controller is a key component of the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform, supporting open, multi-vendor, and multi-technology networks for both 4G and 5G RAN and core networks. This platform supports an extensive ecosystem of over 100 available rApps, contributing to the complete lifecycle of network automation.