Samsung just deployed Canada's first commercial AI-powered Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller with TELUS, marking a breakthrough in autonomous network operations. The software-based RIC system promises to slash operational costs while boosting efficiency across TELUS' entire wireless infrastructure through intelligent automation and multi-vendor management capabilities.
Samsung is reshaping Canada's telecommunications landscape with a deployment that could redefine how wireless networks operate. The company's partnership with TELUS to launch Canada's first commercial Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller represents more than just another tech rollout - it's the foundation for fully autonomous, AI-driven networks.
The timing couldn't be better for TELUS' bottom line. With the RIC system already delivered in July and testing underway across Canadian markets, the telecom giant is positioning itself to slash operational costs through intelligent automation. "We are excited to broaden our collaboration with Samsung to transform our network and enhance the customer experience using AI," TELUS Vice President of Wireless Strategy Bernard Bureau told Samsung's announcement. The partnership promises "more personalized, efficient and sustainable services" while maintaining the flexibility that's core to Open RAN architecture.
Samsung's RIC solution isn't just another software update - it's a complete rethinking of network intelligence. The system includes four key automation tools: KPI Anomaly Detector for proactive issue identification, RAN Anomaly Insight for network analysis, Energy Saving Manager for traffic prediction and automated power optimization, and Load Balancing Manager for resource utilization. These aren't theoretical capabilities - they're already running on TELUS infrastructure.
The deployment builds directly on the companies' February 2024 announcement of Canada's first commercial virtualized and O-RAN network. That foundation now supports Samsung's CognitiV Network Operations Suite, creating what Angelo Jeongho Park, Samsung's Executive Vice President of Global Sales, calls "the optimal foundation for AI." Park emphasized that "vRAN is the best way forward on the path to AI-RAN" during the .
