• Samsung and Orange expand AI-ready Open RAN in Europe.
• AI software improves performance and reduces energy use.

Samsung Electronics and Orange Group have said they will expand their work on virtualised RAN (vRAN) and Open RAN in Orange’s European footprint. The plan builds on earlier trials and shifts toward broader field deployment in 2026, according to Samsung’s newsroom statement.

The core idea behind vRAN is to move more of the radio network functions into software that runs on standard servers, not on tightly integrated hardware boxes. That allows operators to update and automate parts of the network in ways that look more like cloud systems than traditional telecom gear.

In its announcement, Samsung said the expanded rollout will bring its vRAN and Open RAN solutions into live commercial networks in Europe. Orange has been testing Samsung’s vRAN in several markets since 2023. The companies said the move into larger-scale deployment follows successful field results.

A virtualised setup allows the operator to apply automation tools to optimise performance and manage traffic more dynamically. Samsung said its vRAN is designed to support AI-powered optimisation, helping operators improve network efficiency while maintaining service quality.

From trials to scaled deployment

The change also aligns with a wider industry push around Open RAN. Open RAN aims to break apart tightly bundled systems and allow operators to mix equipment and software from different vendors. Orange has been active in Open RAN trials in recent years, and this expanded agreement signals a move from testing to scaled deployment.

While Samsung and Orange focus on scaling software-based RAN, Ericsson is advancing what it calls an AI-ready RAN portfolio. It has introduced new radios and AI-driven RAN software designed to support what it described as “AI-ready” networks. The company said its latest RAN software integrates AI abilities to manage coverage and energy use.

Ericsson is also promoting its Intelligent Automation Platform, which supports rApps running on a non-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC). According to Ericsson, the framework allows operators to deploy applications that automate network optimisation tasks, including energy management and performance tuning (Ericsson website, 2026).

Paths to AI-driven RAN

While Samsung and Orange are scaling a software-centric RAN foundation, Ericsson is packaging AI features and automation tools as part of a broader, integrated RAN platform. Operators are taking different paths depending on their priorities.

Vodafone has expanded its Open RAN strategy in Europe, including a large-scale vRAN and Open RAN deployment with Samsung in Germany and other markets. Industry coverage reported that Vodafone aims to reach 30% Open RAN in its European footprint by 2030.

Vodafone is working with Ericsson on RAN automation. In a statement on its website, Vodafone said it is advancing a “future-ready Radio Access Network” by introducing AI-based functionalities, starting with energy efficiency improvements. The company said automation tools will help reduce power consumption while maintaining network performance.

Automation and energy

Energy use has become a growing concern for operators, as 5G networks expand and data traffic increases. AI-based tools that can switch resources on and off or fine-tune radio parameters are seen as one way to manage costs and emissions.

For years, RAN equipment was delivered as tightly integrated hardware and software systems. Changes often required manual configuration and on-site work. Virtualisation and Open RAN change that model by separating functions and making more of the network programmable. Operators can use machine learning models to analyse traffic patterns and adjust network parameters.

The Samsung-Orange expansion shows how one operator is moving from trial to deployment software-driven RAN, and Ericsson’s announcements highlight how traditional vendors are embedding AI more deeply into their radio portfolios. Vodafone’s choice is dual track: supplier diversification through Open RAN and AI-based automation through established vendors.

As such deployments progress, the test will be how well automation tools perform under live traffic conditions, and whether promised efficiency gains hold up. For now, Europe has become one of the main proving grounds for that transition.

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