Verizon has revealed the benefits from the deployment of RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) functionality in its network in association with Samsung and Qualcomm.
Verizon, which is focusing on the deployment of O-RAN technology for more efficiency in cost and improvement in consumer experience, has achieved energy savings gain of 15 percent, and up to 35 percent per sector during low traffic periods in a variety of field tests.
Verizon, which spent $17.1 billion in 2024 towards capital expenditure (Capex) focusing on 5G network, has used Samsung’s AI-powered Energy Saving Manager (AI-ESM) integrated with Qualcomm Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite’s RIC to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.
Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg recently said: “Ongoing AI enablement will enhance and broaden our network for everybody we serve.”
Verizon, which is aiming to achieve EBITDA growth of 2 percent to 3.5 percent in 2025, has implemented the system across its 5G NR and 4G LTE network. The system includes Samsung’s virtualized RAN (vRAN), 4G, and 5G C-band and mmWave radios.
Samsung’s AI-powered Energy Saving Manager (AI-ESM) facilitates a more sustainable approach through traffic pattern analysis, switching cell or transmission paths within a cell site off or on during periods of high and low traffic to conserve power, said Sunghyun Choi, EVP and Head of Advanced R&D, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics.
Samsung’s AI-powered Energy Saving Manager (AI-ESM) monitors and manages the specific capabilities of each radio in the network, ensuring that energy-saving measures align with hardware specifications and operational requirements. The system minimizes service degradation while implementing energy-saving measures by understanding network elements’ spatial and functional relationships.
This allows for precise control over network resources while maximizing energy efficiency. The system monitors network traffic across different locations and times of day, building detailed usage profiles for each cell site.
The AI-ESM automatically categorizes and adapts to these varying environments, ensuring optimal performance across diverse settings. The AI determines optimal threshold values for each site based on historical data and real-time conditions.
Several energy-saving features help reduce power consumption of cell sites by automatically controlling transmission path and RU power amplifier (PA) based on traffic patterns.
For instance, when traffic falls below the calculated threshold, the system automatically switches off transmission paths and/or PAs to conserve energy. When mobile data traffic increases to reach the threshold again, they are reactivated seamlessly.
Since 2020, Verizon has expanded its virtualized RAN (vRAN) deployment with Samsung, creating one of the world’s largest and most advanced software-based networks. This software-centric approach provides the perfect foundation for AI integration.
The AI-ESM solution supports Verizon’s aim to operational net zero through two key drivers: maximizing network energy efficiency and facilitating the transition to more sustainable operations.
By optimizing power consumption at the cell site level while maintaining service quality, the system demonstrates that environmental responsibility and network performance can work hand in hand.
Verizon is aiming to spend between $17.5 billion and $18.5 billion in 2025 towards capital expenditures and O-RAN is a major focus area.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
