Radio Access Network (RAN)

A Radio Access Network, or RAN, forms the wireless access layer of a mobile network and provides connectivity between mobile devices and the core network. Its infrastructure primarily includes cellular base stations, antennas and additional components responsible for transmitting and processing radio signals. Different technologies and architectures are used depending on the mobile generation, including LTE for 4G and New Radio for 5G. The RAN performs functions such as wireless communication with end devices, radio resource management and support for handovers between cells. Modern approaches such as Cloud RAN and Open RAN enable greater virtualisation, centralisation and multi-vendor integration of individual network functions. The RAN is therefore a fundamental component of modern mobile communications infrastructure.