Telus is teaming up with Samsung to roll out Canada’s first commercial Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC). Simply put, this means Telus will start using AI-powered software to manage and improve its wireless network.
Instead of relying only on physical hardware, the RIC is a software system that uses artificial intelligence to spot problems, balance traffic, and even save energy by adjusting how the network runs in real time. For example, it can detect unusual activity, predict when network traffic will spike, and automatically make changes to keep things running smoothly.
Telus says this move will make its network more efficient, cheaper to run, and better for customers who want faster and more reliable service. It’s also part of a bigger trend in the telecom industry to move toward “Open RAN,” where companies can mix and match equipment from different vendors instead of being locked into one.
“We are excited to broaden our collaboration with Samsung to transform our network and enhance the customer experience using AI,” said Bernard Bureau, Vice President of Wireless Strategy & Services at Telus, in a statement on Thursday. “This partnership aligns closely with our commitment to responsible sovereign AI development and will enable us to provide more personalized, efficient and sustainable services. Importantly, it also allows us to manage and optimize RAN equipment from multiple vendors through a single, unified platform, maintaining the diversity and flexibility that are core principles of O-RAN.”
Virtualized RAN (vRAN) means running cell tower functions as software on general-purpose servers (which Telus is deploying nationwide) instead of expensive, custom hardware, making networks cheaper and more flexible.
Samsung started delivering its software tools in July, and testing across Canadian markets will continue through 2025.
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