Rakuten Mobile Deploys AI Network Controller for 20% Energy Cut

Tokyo, Japan - Rakuten Mobile Inc. has deployed an artificial intelligence-powered network controller across its mobile infrastructure in Japan, the company announced on Wednesday, claiming the technology will reduce energy consumption by 15 to 20 percent.

The deployment represents what the company described as one of the first nationwide implementations of a RAN Intelligent Controller platform in a commercial Open RAN mobile network.

The controller utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze traffic patterns and adjust base station operations accordingly.

Radio access network infrastructure typically consumes approximately 80 percent of the total power of the mobile network, according to the company.

Rakuten Mobile stated that it developed the platform internally, starting in 2023, to achieve multi-vendor compatibility and reduce operational costs.

The system incorporates applications that predict subscriber demand and modify base station utilization across the carrier's 4G and 5G networks.

Rakuten Mobile projects a 15-20% reduction in power consumption following implementation.

Sharad Sriwastawa, co-chief executive of Rakuten Mobile and president of subsidiary Rakuten Symphony, said the deployment represents progress toward automated network operations.

The company has focused on cloud-native and software-defined network architecture since launching commercial services in 2020.

Rakuten Mobile conducted the development work in partnership with Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology.

The carrier also serves as co-chair of a sustainability working group within the O-RAN Alliance, an industry organization that develops Open RAN specifications.

The company stated that the platform demonstrates the capacity of RIC technology to modify traditional radio access networks and create revenue opportunities through network programmability and the expansion of its vendor ecosystem.

Rakuten Mobile operates Japan's fourth mobile network, competing with NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp, and SoftBank Corp.

The carrier entered the market in 2020 with infrastructure built on open-source and cloud-based systems.

The implementation aligns with industry efforts to reduce mobile network energy consumption while managing the increasing demands for data traffic.

Mobile carriers globally have focused on energy efficiency as operational costs and environmental regulations increase.