AI-driven RAN has potential, but cost may be a challenge: Vodafone Idea CTO

NEW DELHI: A top executive of Vodafone Idea said that artificial intelligence (AI)-driven radio access network (RAN) has potential, but may be suitable for only a limited number of use cases due to higher costs from using multiple components compared to traditional radio network equipment.

“We need to ensure a fine balance. If we take GPUs and high-power CPUs into the radio access network (RAN) or to the last mile, it will not be cheap,” Jagbir Singh, chief technology officer (CTO), Vodafone Idea (Vi), said at the recently concluded COAI Digicom Summit 2026.