• AI-enabled and programmable platform includes the latest Ericsson Silicon
• Small, high-capacity, and energy efficient, RAN Compute boosts efficient site operations and cost savings
• Ericsson and DOCOMO to collaborate on next-generation network architecture in anticipation of future AI traffic

Ericsson’s  next-generation RAN Compute platform has been selected by NTT DOCOMO,  for its networks in Japan, including 5G.

The purpose-built Ericsson RAN Compute platform uses the latest Ericsson Silicon and is optimized for 4G, 5G, and 5G Advanced, as well as enhanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning RAN workloads.

This design enables the creation of AI-native and programmable networks that support long-term software evolution. Deployment commenced in July 2026 and is expected to further enhance the high-quality network experiences for DOCOMO’s customers.

Masafumi Masuda, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Radio Access Network Design Department, NTT DOCOMO, INC., says: “DOCOMO is promoting the enhancement of network processing capacity to maintain and improve communication quality while meeting the growing traffic demand. Ericsson’s RAN Compute platform will strongly support our infrastructure strategy thanks to its high processing performance. We will continue to deepen our partnership with Ericsson to build a flexible network platform that anticipates the future use of AI and deliver the best communication experience to our customers.”

Yukiko Sato, Board Director and Head of Customer Unit NTT Group of Ericsson Japan K.K., says:
“We are proud of Ericsson’s ability to offer the market’s most advanced and efficient RAN Compute technology through our trust-based partnership with DOCOMO. The RAN Compute platform will not only address DOCOMO’s network traffic needs but also enhance environmental sustainability and reduce operating costs.”

Equipped with the latest Ericsson Silicon, the RAN Compute platform achieves up to two times the capacity with less than half of the energy consumption of the previous generation baseband products. This enables efficient site operations and lower costs in C‑RAN (Centralized Radio Access Network) deployments, where RAN Compute products are installed in an aggregated manner.

In December 2025, Ericsson started the commercial deployment of the 4.5GHz Massive MIMO radio “AIR 3255” for DOCOMO’s 5G network. The commercial introduction of RAN Compute will further accelerate support for DOCOMO’s future network goals. The companies will work together on the development of next-generation network architectures that anticipate increases in traffic generated by AI.