Ericsson and Mobily sign MoU at LEAP 2026 to advance AI-powered RAN and autonomous networks in Saudi Arabia

Ericsson and Mobily have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at LEAP 2026 to explore the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across Radio Access Networks (RAN) in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of optimising network performance, improving energy efficiency and accelerating Mobily’s transition toward autonomous networks. The collaboration will leverage Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation (EIAP) platform and rApps to enable distributed and centralized AI across RAN Compute, radio units and Active Antenna Systems (AAS).

"By making the network more intelligent, automated and responsive, the collaboration will help create a strong foundation for future AI-native applications and advanced digital experiences," the partners said in the MoU announcement.

The agreement formalises plans to run rApps on Ericsson’s EIAP platform to deliver AI-driven RAN software functionalities. Mobily will join the EIAP ecosystem — described in the announcement as "the industry’s leading ecosystem for rApps" — which today lists more than 100 available rApps from over 100 members. The ecosystem offers toolsets such as software development kits and an AI-powered rApp Developer Assistant, intended to speed development and integration of applications that address operator requirements.

The MoU builds on previous Ericsson–Mobily collaborations during Hajj 2025, when the partners deployed Explainable AI and trialled the AI-powered 5G Uplink Interference Optimizer rApp to proactively manage network interference. The announcement states that, following "the successful AI-driven initiatives during Hajj 2026," Ericsson and Mobily will continue exploring AI-driven automation to support network evolution and operational efficiency in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030’s AI ambitions.

Technical focus and use cases

• AI across network layers: The MoU targets both distributed AI at the RAN edge and centralized AI through rApps on EIAP, aiming to combine localized intelligence with centralised orchestration.
• RAN components: Workstreams include RAN Compute, radio units and Active Antenna Systems (AAS) to optimise radio performance and resource use.
• Energy efficiency and automation: The collaboration explicitly aims to "leverage AI to improve energy efficiency and support Mobily’s journey towards autonomous networks."
• Developer ecosystem access: Mobily will gain access to rApp directories, SDKs and the EIAP member community of software vendors and developers.

Ericsson is identified in the announcement as Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), and the company framed the collaboration as part of its broader ambition to deliver "telecom-grade AI innovations" that enhance automation, network performance and customer experience. Mobily’s participation in the EIAP ecosystem positions the Saudi operator to tap third-party rApps that may address specific network requirements in the Kingdom.

Outlook: The MoU sets a path for iterative trials and deployments, leveraging lessons from Hajj-focused rollouts to expand AI-driven network automation across commercial operations. If successfully implemented, the combined use of distributed and centralized AI could accelerate Mobily’s move toward autonomous network operations and enable a platform for future AI-native services such as augmented and virtual reality, autonomous vehicles and other advanced digital experiences aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.