Rakuten Mobile Receives World First Level 4 Autonomy Validation For RAN Energy Efficiency Optimization In A Live Open RAN Network From TM Forum

Powered by the Rakuten Symphony platform, Rakuten Mobile’s Autonomous Energy Efficiency solution leverages cloud-native Open RAN architecture and AI to deliver around 20 % RAN energy conservation through autonomous operations.

Rakuten Mobile today announced that its Autonomous Energy Efficiency solution developed in collaboration with Rakuten Symphony has been successfully validated at Level 4 Autonomy by TM Forum, the leading global alliance of telco and tech companies. This validation is a world-first^* for the TM Forum RAN Energy Efficiency Optimization scenario (GB1059H) in a live Open RAN (Radio Access Network) environment, demonstrating intent-driven, closed-loop automation with minimal human intervention.

This successful validation is a significant milestone in network RAN autonomy, demonstrating Rakuten Mobile’s pioneering role in leveraging cloud-native Open RAN and advanced AI to dynamically optimize energy consumption while preserving customer experience. Rakuten Symphony provides the underlying technology platform of its advanced OSS and AI orchestration capabilities which delivers an estimated 20% in RAN energy conservation through its autonomous operations.

"Achieving TM Forum Level 4 Autonomous validation for RAN Energy Efficiency Optimization is a testament to our vision of building and operating a cloud-native, Open RAN, and AI-driven mobile networks,” said Shailesh Gupta, Director, Network Operations at Rakuten Mobile. “This underscores our unique approach delivering a truly autonomous system that optimizes energy consumption without compromising customer experience. We are proud to lead the charge towards a more sustainable and efficient future for mobile networks globally, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in telecommunications.”

“This validation highlights Rakuten Mobile’s commitment to advancing AI‑driven innovation built around our RIC platform, and delivering a more sustainable, high‑quality, customer‑centric autonomous mobile network,” said Sachin Verma, Chief Data and AI Officer at Rakuten Mobile.

“Our energy efficiency solution, deployed on Rakuten Mobile’s network in Japan, leverages our foundational cloud-native Open RAN architecture, the Rakuten Symphony platform, which includes our powerful RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), enabling fully automated implementation without human supervision,” said Vivek Murthy, Executive Officer and President of OSS BU of Rakuten Symphony. “Our platform seamlessly enables the deployment of AI/ML-driven rApps that analyze KPIs, detect patterns, and forecast future cell traffic to make intelligent, real-time energy-saving decisions.”

TM Forum defines Level 4 Autonomy as highly autonomous networks, operating in a cross-domain environment driven by intent and adapt independently, relying on AI and machine learning for closed-loop management. It represents a shift from human-assisted decision-making to, mainly, intent-driven operations, where networks optimize themselves with minimal human oversight

“Rakuten Mobile’s achievement is significant in demonstrating how advanced autonomy can be applied to optimize energy efficiency – balancing sustainability with business value. Importantly, it adds to a growing body of evidence that the industry is making real, measurable progress toward Level 4 autonomy using common frameworks and standards,” said Andy Tiller, EVP, member products at TM Forum.

This world-first Level 4 Autonomous validation by TM Forum for RAN Energy Efficiency Optimization (GB1059H) on a live Open RAN network environment, underscores Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony's unparalleled leadership in advancing telecommunications through open, cloud-native, and AI-driven solutions.

By proving the efficacy of fully autonomous, closed-loop systems, Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony are redefining operational excellence and setting new global benchmarks for self-managing telecommunications infrastructure and operational excellence for a more sustainable future.

Note: ^* As of February 2026, according to TM Forum.

About Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile, Inc. is a Rakuten Group company responsible for mobile communications and digital services. Leveraging a fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network, Rakuten Mobile aims to redefine the mobile industry through innovation, openness and ecosystem collaboration.

About Rakuten Symphony
Rakuten Symphony is reimagining telecom, changing supply chain norms and disrupting outmoded thinking that threatens the industry’s pursuit of rapid innovation and growth. Based on proven modern infrastructure practices, its open interface platforms make it possible to launch and operate advanced mobile services in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional approaches, with no compromise to network quality or security. Rakuten Symphony has operations in Japan, the United States, Singapore, South Korea, India, Europe and the Middle East Africa region.

For more information, visit https://symphony.rakuten.com.