Samsung Electronics and TELUS have announced the deployment of Canada’s first commercial Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), a breakthrough that marks a major step toward fully software-based, AI-driven mobile networks.
The collaboration combines Samsung’s advanced CognitiV Network Operations Suite (NOS) with TELUS’ rapidly expanding Open RAN (O-RAN) infrastructure, setting a new benchmark for intelligent network automation and performance optimization. TELUS has 20 million customers on its network. TELUS has recorded $20 billion in annual revenue.
AI-Powered Network Optimization
The RIC is a software component within O-RAN architecture that leverages artificial intelligence and automation to fine-tune wireless network performance. By enabling real-time monitoring, dynamic resource management, and automated energy-saving operations, the RIC helps telecom operators reduce operational costs while improving user experience.
Key Features of Samsung’s RIC Solution
Samsung’s solution integrates open multi-vendor support and a rich suite of applications:
KPI Anomaly Detector (KAD): Identifies and analyzes network issues proactively.
RAN Anomaly Insight (RAI): Delivers detailed performance analytics.
Energy Saving Manager (ESM): Uses AI-driven traffic prediction to cut energy consumption.
Load Balancing Manager (LBM): Optimizes resource utilization for better network reliability.
These tools allow TELUS to intelligently automate operations across both legacy hardware-based and virtualized networks, ensuring seamless transition to vRAN and O-RAN environments.
Strengthening TELUS–Samsung Partnership
This initiative builds on the February 2024 launch of Canada’s first commercial virtualized and O-RAN network by the two companies. Bernard Bureau, Vice President of Wireless Strategy & Services at TELUS, highlighted that the RIC deployment supports responsible sovereign AI development and enables unified management of RAN equipment from multiple vendors—key to maintaining the flexibility of open standards.
Samsung’s AI and vRAN Leadership
According to Angelo Jeongho Park, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics, virtualized RAN (vRAN) is the ideal foundation for AI-powered networks. “Together with TELUS, we are fueling the transition to a more intelligent and autonomous network,” he said.
Nationwide Rollout and Future Plans
Samsung completed the initial software delivery in July 2025, with comprehensive testing planned across Canadian markets throughout the year. The deployment will allow TELUS to scale AI-driven operations while continuing its accelerated vRAN rollout.
Samsung’s Commitment to Canadian Innovation
With over 30 years of presence in Canada and the establishment of the AI Centre Toronto (AIC-Toronto) in 2018, Samsung continues to invest in technologies that enhance connectivity and support Canada’s leadership in AI and telecommunications.
This milestone positions TELUS and Samsung as frontrunners in delivering AI-powered, energy-efficient, and cost-optimized 5G networks, reinforcing Canada’s place at the forefront of next-generation telecommunications.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
