In a landmark achievement for global telecommunications, Mavenir has unveiled its Network Intelligence as a Service (NIaaS), an advanced AI framework designed to optimize 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks using deep reinforcement learning (RL). This groundbreaking development marks the world’s first instance where live AI Agents autonomously manage and enhance key performance indicators (KPIs) by over 40% in radio access networks (RAN). Operating on CPUs, this innovative solution is not only highly effective but also impressively cost-efficient compared to traditional GPU-based systems. The implications for improving network stability and efficiency are profound and far-reaching.
Breakthrough in 5G Network Optimization
NIaaS, hosted in Mavenir’s RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), has already demonstrated exceptional performance in live Open RAN deployments. Specifically, it has shown remarkable results with two Tier 1 5G NSA operators in South Asia, covering over 25 sites and deploying across 100 LTE and New Radio (NR) cells. This deployment has led to a significant reduction in unstable handovers, which commonly include ping-pong handovers, too-late and too-early handovers, radio link failures, and wrong-cell handovers. As a result, the mobility robustness for 4G/5G mobile subscribers has improved remarkably, with overall enhancements ranging from 40% to 60%.
The ability of NIaaS to autonomously manage and optimize KPIs in real-time is a game-changer for the telecom industry. By continuously analyzing and adjusting network parameters, NIaaS ensures that the network remains in peak working condition, minimizing disruptions and delivering a smoother user experience. This AI-driven approach moves away from traditional, functionality-centric Self-Organizing Network (SON) systems and focuses instead on KPI-centric improvements. The benefits of such a shift include not only better performance but also a more responsive and adaptive network infrastructure.
Expanding Capabilities and Future Potential
As Mavenir looks to the future, NIaaS is poised to tackle other critical operational Telco KPIs, including connectivity, coverage, traffic management, accessibility, retainability, traffic quality, efficiency, and both CAPEX and OPEX. Initially hosted in Mavenir RIC, the flexibility of NIaaS allows it to operate independently in various other domains such as Packet Core and IMS. Moreover, the integration with third-party network functions (NFs) ensures that its utility is not limited to Mavenir-hosted environments, extending its applicability across the telecom landscape.
Central to Mavenir’s AI suite are cutting-edge tools and Deep-RL AI Agents that autonomously manage mobility offsets across LTE cells, significantly reducing network-wide unstable handovers. Additionally, other sophisticated AI models within the suite, such as AI causation and explainability models, are essential for identifying and quantifying the root causes of KPI degradations. This capability is complemented by clustering and classification models, which are instrumental in correlating radio frequency, mobility, and traffic patterns. Together, these advanced tools provide a robust framework for comprehensive network optimization.
Transformative Impact on Telecom Operations
Mavenir has made a significant breakthrough in global telecommunications by launching its Network Intelligence as a Service (NIaaS), an AI-driven framework aimed at optimizing 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks through deep reinforcement learning (RL). This pioneering technology represents the first time that live AI Agents have autonomously managed and enhanced key performance indicators (KPIs) by over 40% within radio access networks (RAN). Unlike traditional GPU-based systems, this solution operates on CPUs, making it not only highly effective but also remarkably cost-efficient. The launch of NIaaS holds great potential for significantly improving network stability and operational efficiency. By leveraging advanced AI, this innovative service sets a new standard in the industry, promising to revolutionize the way telecommunications networks are managed. The profound implications of this development will likely shape the future of networking technology, offering both enhanced performance and substantial cost savings.