RAN

A radio access network (RAN) is part of a mobile telecommunication system. It resides between a device such as a mobile phone, a computer, or any remotely controlled machine and provides a connection with its core network (CN). Depending on the standard, mobile phones, and other wireless connected devices are widely known as user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), etc. RAN functionality is typically provided by a silicon chip residing in both the core network and the user equipment.