Market Report

October 2025 RAN Automation: SON, AI, RIC, and SMO​

October 2025

Report Abstract

RAN Automation Market Report: SON, RIC, AI & SMO | C-SON Software, Non-RT RIC rApps & Near-RT RIC xApps 

The Complete Market Tracker for RAN Automation — From C-SON to RIC, SMO & AI-Driven Network Optimization 

RAN automation is undergoing its most significant architectural transformation since Self-Organizing Networks were first defined by 3GPP at the turn of this century. C-SON — the dominant force in network automation for over a decade — is evolving into a new generation of open, AI-driven automation built around the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and the O-RAN Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework. This report tracks every layer of that transition, with market sizing, vendor market shares, and forecasts across C-SON, non-Real Time RIC rApps, and near-Real Time RIC xApps — through 2030. 

What This Report Covers 

This report tracks the full evolution of mobile network automation — from the 3GPP-defined Self-Organizing Network (SON) through centralized SON (C-SON), to the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and O-RAN SMO framework. It covers the C-SON software and services revenue market with size, forecast, and vendor market shares, and analyzes how C-SON modules and use cases are evolving into apps running in the RIC — supporting open RAN, open virtual RAN (vRAN), and any type of RAN architecture. It also tracks the rapidly emerging O-RAN SMO market, with a detailed breakdown between non-Real Time RIC rApps and near-Real Time RIC xApps. 

What You Get 

PDF Analysis:
  • C-SON software and services market size, forecast, and vendor market shares
  • Analysis of C-SON module and use case evolution into RIC apps
  • O-RAN SMO market sizing and forecast through 2030
  • Non-Real Time RIC rApps vs. near-Real Time RIC xApps revenue breakdown
  • Coverage of the full RIC and SMO vendor ecosystem — from SON specialists and traditional RAN vendors to open RAN players, hyperscalers, and startups
  • AI and ML integration analysis across C-SON, RIC, and SMO layers
  • Assessment of how RAN automation expands beyond open RAN to support all RAN types 
Excel Data File:
  • C-SON market size and vendor market shares — fully accessible and filterable
  • RIC market sizing and breakdown by non-RT RIC and near-RT RIC
  • SMO market data with granular segmentation
  • Revenue forecast through 2030 across all three markets: C-SON, RIC & SMO
  • Vendor ecosystem mapping with definitions and methodology 

 Report Details 

Format: PDF analysis + Excel data file Excel  
Contents: C-SON market shares | RIC market data | SMO market data | Revenue forecast through 2030 | Vendor ecosystem 
Definitions & methodology Coverage: C-SON | Non-RT RIC rApps | Near-RT RIC xApps | O-RAN SMO  
Forecast Period: Through 2030 Architecture Support: Open RAN | Open vRAN | All RAN types
Delivery: Immediate download 

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Stéphane Téral

About the Author

Stéphane Téral, Founder & Chief Analyst

With over 35 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, including 28 years in Silicon Valley, Stéphane Téral is regarded as one of the top analysts in his field, having been the trusted advisor at some of the world's largest telecom providers and manufacturers. He specializes in next-generation wireless infrastructure including 5G and 6G, network disaggregation and automation, cloud and quantum networking, programmable core networks and communications service provider digital transformation.

As an advisor to start-ups, service providers, vendors and the investment community, Stéphane helps clients identify new market opportunities, conducts due diligence, and advises on positioning, product development, business plans and M&A. A highly sought thinker and speaker, Stéphane is frequently quoted in prestigious publications such as The Economist, Nikkei Asia, Le Monde, Les Echos, L’Usine Nouvelle, Barron's, and The Wall Street Journal. He also chairs and presents at global industry events including Brooklyn 6G Summit, FYUZ, GSMA Mobile World Congress, OCP Regional Summit, and NGMN IC&E. Stéphane has been a frequent expert judge for industry and technology innovation awards, such as the GSMA Global Mobile Awards (the GLOMOS), and the Layer123 World Congress.

Stéphane founded TÉRAL RESEARCH in January 2023 after 2 years as a Chief Analyst at LightCounting, which he joined in May 2020, after serving as a Technology Fellow at IHS Markit where he was also rewarded with the 2016 Market Research Excellence Award. Previously, he spent 8 years as a principal analyst at Infonetics Research after starting his analyst career at RHK, where he developed the European optical coverage and helped carriers migrate from PSTN to next-generation networks. Prior to RHK, he was an R&D engineer and project manager with Alcatel where he deployed the CATV optical networks that allowed the 1992 Olympics and the grand opening of Euro Disney to be televised using fiber optics for the first time. Stéphane is a McGowan Scholar at the McLaren School of Business of the University of San Francisco where he received his MBA with an emphasis in telecommunications. He holds an engineering degree in telecommunications from the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, France.