Keywords Explained: vRAN

vRAN, short for "virtualized Radio Access Network," is a technology that implements some of the functions of a mobile base station-such as determining connections with mobile devices and traffic prioritization-that were traditionally handled by dedicated hardware on general-purpose servers or in the cloud. This approach simplifies base station equipment, streamlines installation, maintenance and upgrades. vRAN also enables rapid and flexible network expansion or reconfiguration through software updates. That said, ensuring that servers are performing sufficiently, establishing robust management systems and strengthening security measures is becoming increasingly important with vRAN.

With the explosive growth of smartphones and IoT devices, along with the advancement of high-speed, high-capacity 5G networks, vRAN has become an essential technology for operating networks with greater flexibility and efficiency. SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is currently developing "AITRAS," an integrated AI-RAN solution that allows AI and RAN to run on the same platform. Looking ahead, SoftBank is aiming to deploy data centers equipped with GPU servers to deliver vRAN and AI applications in a stable and optimized manner across Japan.

(Posted on August 28, 2025)
by SoftBank News Editors