O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Component (A1 Mediator, Demo1, E2 Manager (E2M), E2 Terminator (E2T), Logging, RIC Alarm System, RIC Message Router (RMR), RNIB, Routing Manager, xApp Framework for CXX, xApp Framework for Go, xApp Framework for Python), By Deployment (Centralized, Distributed), By Region, and By Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market, valued at USD 5.38 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 40.74% to reach USD 41.81 Billion by 2030. The O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC) is a software-defined component within the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture, enabling near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources through programmable applications known as xApps. Key market drivers supporting its growth include the increasing demand for network disaggregation and vendor diversification, the necessity for enhanced network automation and efficiency to reduce operational costs, and the accelerating global rollout of 5G deployments. According to the O-RAN Alliance, as of October 2023, 101 technical specifications and reports, covering key components like Near-RT RIC and its interfaces, had been published, reflecting the maturing ecosystem that underpins market expansion.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the inherent integration complexity within multi-vendor O-RAN environments, particularly due to evolving interface standards and the requirement for seamless interoperability across diverse hardware and software components. This complexity necessitates extensive testing and development, which can prolong deployment timelines and increase initial implementation efforts for network operators.

Key Market Drivers

The global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller market is primarily shaped by the acceleration of global 5G network deployments and the increasing adoption of open and disaggregated network architectures. The rapid expansion of 5G technology necessitates advanced RAN intelligence to manage network complexity and deliver on its promise of diverse services, from enhanced mobile broadband to ultra-reliable low-latency communications. Near-RT RICs are crucial for dynamic optimization, adapting network resources in real time to meet fluctuating demands. According to the Ericsson Mobility Report, in Q3 2024, global 5G subscriptions reached 2.1 billion, demonstrating the extensive foundation for RIC solutions. Simultaneously, the growing embrace of open and disaggregated network architectures, central to O-RAN, directly drives Near-RT RIC demand. This architectural shift fosters a multi-vendor ecosystem, granting operators enhanced flexibility and control. The Near-RT RIC acts as the intelligence layer, orchestrating and optimizing RAN elements from various suppliers. For instance, according to RCR Wireless News, in September 2023, Vodafone commenced installing Open RAN equipment across 2,500 sites in the UK, underscoring this transition and the need for intelligent controllers.

This evolving landscape benefits from continuous standardization efforts, enabling a more programmable and efficient RAN. Such efforts are vital for the maturation of the O-RAN ecosystem, including its key Near-RT RIC components. Active development within industrial associations directly supports market expansion and widespread adoption. According to the O-RAN Alliance, in March 2024, 69 new or updated O-RAN technical documents were released since November 2023, indicating significant ongoing development crucial for Near-RT RIC advancement and deployment.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The inherent integration complexity within multi-vendor O-RAN environments poses a significant challenge, particularly due to evolving interface standards and the requirement for seamless interoperability across diverse hardware and software components.

This integration complexity directly hampers the growth of the Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market. The extensive testing and development necessitated by this challenge prolong deployment timelines and increase initial implementation efforts for network operators. Such hurdles discourage rapid adoption of Near-RT RIC solutions because the substantial resource investment required to integrate disparate vendor components into a functional O-RAN architecture represents a considerable barrier. The scale of this validation effort is substantial; according to the O-RAN Alliance, the Global PlugFest Spring 2023 involved 155 participants from 19 companies and 8 universities, engaged in validating interoperability across 33 test scenarios. This demonstrates the significant resources and time operators and vendors must dedicate to ensure seamless functionality, ultimately slowing the overall market expansion for Near-RT RIC solutions.

Key Market Trends

Advanced AI/ML integration for autonomous RAN optimization is significantly influencing the Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller market. This trend moves beyond traditional automation to implement self-optimizing networks capable of dynamic adjustment and predictive maintenance, thereby improving network efficiency and resource management in complex 5G environments. For instance, the ETSI ISG ENI published deliverable ENI 035 "Categorization of AI for IP networks" in December 2023, which helps standardize AI's role in network management. Operators such as Telefónica are actively pursuing this, with the company expecting to achieve Level 4 autonomous networks in key use cases, including RAN optimization, by 2025, according to a Mobile Europe report from September 2025. This progression highlights a clear industry shift towards leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable networks to proactively address congestion and enhance overall performance.

The expanding xApp developer ecosystem and marketplace represents another crucial trend fostering growth in the Near-RT RIC market. A vibrant ecosystem of xApps allows for greater innovation and customization, enabling operators to deploy specialized applications tailored to their unique network requirements and to integrate solutions from various vendors. The O-RAN Alliance Global PlugFest Fall 2023, which concluded in November 2023, saw participation from 52 companies and institutions in testing advanced RIC functions and xApp-enabled use cases, underscoring the growing collaborative development efforts. Furthermore, Rakuten Symphony's Symworld™ marketplace launched AirHop's RAN automation and optimization xApps in February 2023, making it the first vendor to introduce xApps on this platform, according to an AirHop Communications announcement from the same month. This expansion provides diverse solutions and promotes competition, accelerating the adoption of Open RAN technologies.

Segmental Insights

The Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market identifies the Centralized segment as its fastest-growing deployment model, primarily due to its operational efficiencies and strategic alignment with modern network architectures. Centralized deployment consolidates Near-RT RIC functions within a unified data center or cloud environment, enabling operators to holistically manage and dynamically allocate resources across wide geographic areas, thereby enhancing network performance and optimizing spectrum utilization. This approach aligns seamlessly with the industry's progression towards cloud-native architectures and edge computing, offering significant benefits in scalability, flexibility, and cost management. Furthermore, the accelerated global deployment of 5G networks necessitates agile and programmable RAN architectures, which the centralized model effectively supports through intelligent and dynamic orchestration of network functions.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market due to its advanced telecommunications infrastructure and rapid adoption of 5G technology. The region benefits from substantial investment in research and development by major telecommunications and technology companies, which drives innovation in intelligent RAN controllers. Regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), have actively supported the deployment of Open RAN through initiatives like the 5G Fund, which includes incentives for incorporating Open RAN into networks. Furthermore, collaborations between cloud providers, telecom operators, and system integrators in the United States foster an ecosystem conducive to developing and deploying open and flexible mobile networks. This collective effort, alongside a focus on network flexibility and cost efficiency, solidifies North America's dominant position.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, Keysight Technologies collaborated with Rimedo Labs and Juniper Networks to demonstrate energy efficiency optimization within O-RAN Massive MIMO networks. This joint effort showcased Rimedo Labs' RF Channel Reconfiguration xApp using Juniper's RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and Keysight's RICtest RAN emulator. The demonstration focused on delivering real-time energy savings without compromising network quality, specifically validating power-saving techniques across RIC components. This collaboration, conducted at the i14y lab with partners like Deutsche Telekom and EANTC AG, highlighted practical applications of Near-Real-Time RIC in achieving significant operational efficiencies in commercial network deployments.

• In April 2025, the O-RAN Software Community (O-RAN SC), supported by the O-RAN Alliance and operated by the Linux Foundation, unveiled its J and K software releases. These releases advanced collaboration within the open RAN ecosystem by enhancing integration with OpenAirInterface (OAI) and Intel FlexRAN™ reference software. Key updates included improvements to the Near-Real-Time RIC, aligning with current O-RAN E2 and A1 specifications, and the introduction of five sample xApps. The releases also offered a more robust platform for RIC application developers and an improved simulator for researchers, thereby fostering open-source adoption, interoperability, and AI/ML support in the RAN industry.

• In February 2025, NEC Corporation announced the development of a Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC) platform, alongside new RIC applications. This innovation supports flexible and intelligent network control, adhering to O-RAN Alliance specifications for virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN). The platform enables dynamic customization of RAN settings based on service requirements and network conditions. A notable application demonstrated achieved high reliability in latency-sensitive environments by optimizing radio control for mobile robot terminals, significantly reducing instances of packets exceeding acceptable latency. This breakthrough research aims to enhance 5G network scalability and flexibility, paving the way for advanced services.

• In October 2024, STC announced its vendor selections for an Open RAN deployment, which included Juniper Networks for its automation layer. This collaboration involved the deployment of Juniper's Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC), encompassing both Near-Real-Time and Non-Real-Time functionalities, along with a Service Management and Orchestrator (SMO) featuring AI/ML-based x/r-Apps. The x/r-Apps were sourced internally and from Airhop, aiming to provide advanced automation and optimization capabilities for the operator's network. This strategic integration of the Near-Real-Time RIC was a crucial step in STC's plan to roll out production Open RAN, focusing on enhanced network management and performance.

Key Market Players

• Nokia Corporation
• Rakuten Mobile, Inc.
• Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Sterlite Technologies Limited
• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• IS-Wireless
• Parallel Wireless, Inc.
• VIAVI Solutions Inc.
• HCL Technologies Limited
• Casa Systems, Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market, By Component:

o   A1 Mediator

o   Demo1

o   E2 Manager (E2M)

o   E2 Terminator (E2T)

o   Logging

o   RIC Alarm System

o   RIC Message Router (RMR)

o   RNIB

o   Routing Manager

o   xApp Framework for CXX

o   xApp Framework for Go

o   xApp Framework for Python

• O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market, By Deployment:

o   Centralized

o   Distributed

• O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market.

Available Customizations:

Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global O-RAN Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]