Samsung & Vodafone: AI-RAN is Ready for Operations in Europe

On March 3, 2026, as MWC was winding down, Samsung and Vodafone reported the successful hardware validation of a new chipset for AI-native vRAN (virtualized Radio Access Network). The tests were conducted on real European infrastructure.

This is a crucial signal to the market. Open RAN architecture has historically suffered from performance issues and high power consumption compared to classic "closed" cell towers. The implementation of specialized AI coprocessors (NPUs) from Samsung directly into the base station chipset solves this problem by optimizing the radio path on the fly. Vodafone proves that operators can break free from vendor lock-in, while Samsung confidently cements its status as the leading manufacturer of next-generation "smart" telecom silicon.

Source: Samsung Newsroom