Radio access network (RAN)
The base stations, antennas and radio controllers that connect devices over radio to the core.
Definitions only — a term explained here is not a service we sell.
The radio access network (RAN) is the part of a mobile network that connects devices over radio to the core. It includes base stations, antennas and radio units; backhaul transport is often grouped with the RAN in operations, but in 3GPP architecture it sits outside the RAN.
Why it matters
The RAN is the only part of the network the device actually sees. Coverage, capacity and most radio faults live here, while addressing, subscriber data and internet exit live in the core.
RAN between device and core
- Device
- Radio access (RAN)
- Transport
- Mobile core HSS / HLR · PGW / UPF · IMS
- Internet
Text description
The RAN is a layer, not one box. A base station, its antenna and the radio controller behind it belong to it; the transport that carries their traffic to the core is often grouped with the RAN in operations but sits outside it in 3GPP architecture. A fault in either looks like a radio problem to the user.
What to check
When a device attaches but gets no data, separate the radio from the core: check the signal, the serving cell and the backhaul before the APN. The gNodeB term covers the 5G base station, and the spectrum term covers the resource the RAN uses.