Vodafone Group teamed with Ireland-based tech company Zinkworks to co-develop a pan-European generative AI (genAI) platform designed to simplify and accelerate the creation of RAN applications (rApps.)

The two companies are building Rapid RIC, which is a central platform for improving mobile service quality, network energy efficiency and performance for the operator’s European customers. The platform is expected to be fully operational by early 2026.

Vodafone CNO Alberto Ripepi stated the platform allows it “to focus on delivering a stronger, more reliable signal and greater network capacity while meeting our sustainability goals”.

A RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) plays a key role in open RAN by enabling third-party developers and vendors to develop new services and applications, which operators can then select as needed.

Vodafone noted rApps can be launched in weeks instead of months, cutting development time by 60 per cent to 70 per cent.

The rApps Apps will also improve signal quality, detect and fix faults automatically and reduce energy usage.

The platform will use the operator’s existing data infrastructure, primarily on Vodafone’s own dedicated and secure Google Cloud Platform (GCP) data ocean.

Vodafone stated it will use a genAI simulator to validate applications before use, “eliminating the need for a more complex digital twin or central data repository”.  

Its engineers can build apps without needing deep AI or ML expertise, thanks to a visual interface and code-generating AI.

The mobile operator plans to offer the platform and its validation tools to other telecom players.

Last week Vodafone picked Ericsson as its exclusive RAN partner across Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal.

The five-year deal included the operator using the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform to deploy a number of AI-powered rApps.