Vodafone Group has partnered with Ireland-based Zinkworks to co-develop Rapid RIC, a pan-European generative AI platform designed to streamline the creation and deployment of RAN applications (rApps). The platform is expected to be fully operational by early 2026 and targets improved mobile service quality, network efficiency, and operational performance.

Rapid RIC allows engineers to develop, deploy, and monitor rApps without requiring deep AI or machine learning expertise, using a visual interface and code-generating AI. This reduces development cycles from months to weeks, accelerating new service launches by up to 70 per cent.

rApps developed through the platform will autonomously optimise network performance, including signal boosts, fault detection and resolution, and energy savings. The platform leverages Vodafone’s secure Google Cloud Platform data infrastructure, combined with a generative AI simulator to validate applications before deployment, eliminating the need for complex digital twins or centralised data repositories.

Beyond internal operations, Vodafone plans to offer the platform and validation tools to other telecom operators, creating new operational models and potential revenue streams. The initiative aligns with the operator’s sustainability objectives while reinforcing its position in network operational excellence across European markets.

The company recently partnered exclusively with Ericsson across Ireland, the Netherlands, and Portugal, integrating AI-driven automation tools to deploy rApps efficiently. This combination of generative AI, cloud infrastructure, and automation positions Vodafone and Zinkworks to deliver faster, more reliable, and energy-efficient network services.

Discover how Vodafone and Zinkworks are setting new standards in operational excellence for European telecoms in the full story.