NTT DOCOMO has selected Ericsson’s RAN Compute platform to strengthen its mobile networks in Japan, including its 5G infrastructure, as the operator prepares for rising data traffic and future AI-driven network requirements.
NTT DOCOMO started the deployment of the Ericsson RAN Compute platform in July 2026. The RAN Compute technology is designed to increase network processing capacity, improve communication quality and create a more flexible infrastructure capable of supporting the evolution toward AI-native and programmable mobile networks.
Powered by the latest Ericsson Silicon, the purpose-built RAN Compute platform is optimized for 4G, 5G and 5G Advanced networks, while also supporting enhanced artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads within the radio access network.
A key benefit is the significant improvement in processing capacity and energy efficiency. Ericsson said the new RAN Compute platform can deliver up to two times the capacity of its previous-generation baseband products while consuming less than half the energy. The combination could help DOCOMO handle growing mobile traffic while reducing network operating costs and improving environmental sustainability.
The efficiency gains are particularly important for C-RAN, or Centralized Radio Access Network, deployments. In C-RAN environments, RAN Compute products can be installed in an aggregated architecture, enabling operators to manage network processing resources more efficiently while lowering site-related costs.
DOCOMO is increasing network processing capacity as part of its strategy to maintain and improve communication quality amid continued growth in data traffic. The operator expects Ericsson’s high-performance RAN Compute technology to support a flexible network platform capable of accommodating future AI applications and changing customer requirements.
The latest deployment also expands the 5G network partnership between DOCOMO and Ericsson. In December 2025, Ericsson began commercial deployment of its 4.5GHz Massive MIMO radio, AIR 3255, for DOCOMO’s 5G network in Japan.
The addition of RAN Compute from July 2026 extends that modernization from advanced radio technology into network computing infrastructure. Ericsson and DOCOMO plan to collaborate on next-generation network architectures designed to address further increases in mobile traffic, including traffic generated by AI applications.
For Ericsson, the deployment highlights the growing role of AI-ready RAN infrastructure as telecom operators prepare their 4G, 5G and 5G Advanced networks for heavier computing workloads. For DOCOMO, the combination of up to 2X higher capacity and less than 50 percent of the previous-generation energy consumption provides a pathway to expand network performance while controlling energy usage and operating costs.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
