AirHop Communications
AirHop Communications (AirHop AI) is a San Diego-based software company that develops AI/ML-powered xApps and rApps for RAN automation and optimization, serving mobile network operators globally through direct sales and partnerships with major telecom vendors including Nokia, Ericsson, Amdocs, and Rakuten Symphony.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What AirHop Communications does
AirHop Communications (operating as AirHop AI) is a privately held, venture-backed software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Diego, California, that develops AI/ML-powered automation and optimization software for radio access networks (RAN) deployed by mobile network operators worldwide. Its core technology consists of cloud-native, O-RAN-compliant xApps and rApps (the Auptim® family) designed to run on third-party near-real-time and non-real-time RIC platforms and SMO platforms defined by the O-RAN Alliance, alongside the legacy eSON and eSON360 products that serve traditional pre-O-RAN architectures. The company's AI/ML applications address use cases including energy savings with MIMO adaptation, load balancing, handover optimization, and remote electrical antenna tilt optimization, and are claimed to deliver up to 40% operating cost reduction, 25% lower energy use, 36% higher spectral efficiency, and 40% fewer handover failures across deployments spanning more than 1.5 million macro and small cells globally.
The company monetizes primarily through software licenses and subscriptions for its Auptim® applications, complemented by professional services for deployment, integration, and optimization. It executes an enterprise field-sales go-to-market, selling both directly to mobile network operators and indirectly through partnerships with major telecom infrastructure and platform vendors — Nokia (MantaRay SMO Marketplace), Ericsson (EIAP), Amdocs (Cognitive RAN Automation), and Rakuten Symphony (SymphonyCloudPlatform) — as well as through cloud and infrastructure partners including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, HPE, Red Hat, VMware, and IBM. Named enterprise customers include Rakuten Mobile (nationwide deployment in Japan) and Jio (the world's second-largest mobile operator), with industry analyst Core Analysis ranking AirHop the #1 Open RAN App Specialist Company in November 2023.
The company operates as a small organization (11–50 employees) and does not publicly disclose revenue or funding details. Its strategic posture over 2024–2026 has been focused on ecosystem expansion — adding major RAN vendor marketplaces (Nokia, Ericsson, Amdocs) and joining standards bodies (AI-RAN Alliance) — and on broadening its Auptim® product surface with new rApps such as RET optimization and AI-driven energy savings.
AirHop Communications firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AirHop Communications
- Legal name
- AirHop Communications, Inc.
- Website
- https://airhopcomm.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AirHop Communications (AirHop AI) is a San Diego-based software company that develops AI/ML-powered xApps and rApps for RAN automation and optimization, serving mobile network operators globally through direct sales and partnerships with major telecom vendors including Nokia, Ericsson, Amdocs, and Rakuten Symphony.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AirHop Communications industry classification
Industry- Product category
- RAN Automation and Optimization Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- vRAN & Open RAN Platforms (CU/DU, RIC, xApps/rApps) (HDAIAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- AI Application Enablement Platforms (Copilot/Agent Frameworks, SDKs) (HDAEANAJ)
Keywords
Where AirHop Communications is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AirHop Communications business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licenses and Subscriptions: AI-powered software applications (xApps and rApps) deployed on third-party RIC and SMO platforms, sold as licenses or subscriptions to mobile network operators.
- Professional Services: Deployment, integration, and optimization services for AirHop's solutions with mobile network operator infrastructure.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
AirHop Communications product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AirHop Communications develops AI/ML-powered RAN automation and optimization software for 4G, 5G, and future mobile networks. Its core offerings include the Auptim® portfolio of O-RAN-compliant xApps and rApps deployed on third-party near-real-time and non-real-time RIC platforms, as well as the eSON and eSON360 cloud-native products that deliver real-time closed-loop RAN optimization for traditional pre-O-RAN architectures.
Product overview
AirHop Communications offers a comprehensive portfolio of cloud-native Open RAN automation and real-time optimization software solutions. The core offerings include the Auptim® product family (xApps and rApps) for O-RAN-compliant deployment on third-party RIC and SMO platforms, and the eSON and eSON360 products for traditional pre O-RAN architectures. These solutions work together to provide AI-powered autonomous network management across 4G, 5G and beyond, with deployments spanning over 1.5 million macro and small cells globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Auptim®: AI/ML-based product family of xApps and rApps for deployment on third-party near-real-time and non-real-time RIC platforms as defined by the O-RAN Alliance.
- eSON and eSON360
Products and services
- Auptim® AI/ML-based product family of xApps and rApps for deployment on third-party near-real-time and non-real-time RIC platforms as defined by the O-RAN Alliance, providing RAN automation and optimization across use cases such as energy savings, load balancing, handover optimization, and antenna tilt optimization. Sold to mobile network operators globally.
- eSON and eSON360 Cloud-native products providing real-time, closed-loop RAN optimization and visualization, deployed in traditional pre-O-RAN architectures for mobile network operators seeking self-organizing network capabilities.
- Auptim® RET (Remote Electrical Antenna Tilt) Optimization rApp AI-powered Remote Electrical Antenna Tilt Optimization rApp designed for Open RAN deployments, enabling automated antenna tilt adjustment to optimize network performance.
- AI/ML-Powered RAN Energy Savings Solution with MIMO Adaptation AI/ML-powered RAN energy savings solution with MIMO adaptation, designed to reduce energy consumption in mobile networks. Deployed nationwide with Rakuten Mobile in Japan.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces operating costs by up to 40%
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AirHop Communications
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
AirHop Communications technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
AirHop Communications partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NokiacoreIntegration of AirHop's Auptim portfolio of RAN automations and optimizations with Nokia's Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) platform. Focused on network automation and optimization in the telecom infrastructure sector.
- NokiacorePartnership to integrate AirHop's AI-powered Auptim rApp portfolio with Nokia's MantaRay SMO (Service Management and Orchestration) platform. The collaboration combines AirHop's specialized RAN algorithms with Nokia's autonomous networking capabilities, making AirHop's solutions available through the Nokia SMO Marketplace for mobile network operators as the industry moves toward 6G.
- NokiacoreCollaboration to integrate Auptim portfolio of RAN automation and optimization solutions with Nokia SMO platform. Positioned as a milestone in AI-RAN development aimed at enabling autonomous networks.
- AI-RAN AllianceminorAirHop joined the AI-RAN Alliance to help shape the future of Autonomous Radio Access Networks and contribute to industry standards development.
- AmdocscoreAirHop joined the Amdocs Cognitive RAN Automation ecosystem to bring its AI-powered automation and optimization rApps to mobile network operators.
- EricssoncoreAirHop joined the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) Ecosystem to provide AI-powered RAN automation applications for mobile operators worldwide.
- Rakuten SymphonycorePartnership with Rakuten Symphony for integration of AI-powered RAN solutions on the SymphonyCloudPlatform, enabling AI-driven autonomous network management capabilities.
- CapgeminiminorImplementation and consulting partnership for deployment of AirHop's RAN automation solutions with mobile network operators.
- O-RAN AlliancecoreActive member of the O-RAN Alliance, contributing to the development of O-RAN standards and compliant xApp/rApp architectures.
- ONF (Open Networking Foundation)minorPartnership with ONF for advancement of open networking standards and reference implementations.
- Telecom Infra Project (TIP)minorMember of TIP, contributing to development of open, disaggregated, and standards-based telecom infrastructure solutions.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AirHop Communications competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Ericsson: Ericsson is a Tier-1 RAN incumbent whose EIAP ecosystem hosts AirHop's rApps but also competes with AirHop through its own AI/ML automation roadmap across 4G/5G and emerging 6G architectures.
- Nokia: Nokia is a Tier-1 RAN incumbent; its MantaRay SMO Marketplace is a key distribution channel for AirHop, but Nokia also develops competing AI automation applications and anyNet RAN portfolio products.
- Juniper Networks: Juniper (now HPE) offers AI-driven RAN orchestration and service provider automation that overlaps with AirHop's SMO/RIC integration use cases, and is also listed as one of AirHop's ecosystem technology partners.
- Mavenir: Mavenir is an end-to-end Open RAN software vendor offering its own RIC, SMO, and an expanding portfolio of AI/ML rApps that compete head-to-head with AirHop across Open RAN deployments.
- Cisco: Cisco's Crosswork network automation and SON portfolio, plus its broader service provider infrastructure footprint, makes it a broad incumbent competing for RAN optimization and automation wallet share.
Direct peers
- Cohere Technologies: Cohere Technologies builds AI/ML-based xApps and rApps for RAN optimization and capacity enhancement, targeting the same Open RAN RIC platforms and Tier-1 MNOs as AirHop's Auptim portfolio.
- Cellwize (Qualcomm): Cellwize (acquired by Qualcomm) provides AI-driven RAN automation and multi-vendor SON platforms, directly overlapping AirHop's automation and optimization portfolio across 4G/5G networks.
- P.I. Works: P.I. Works is a long-standing SON and RAN automation vendor serving global MNOs with comparable optimization use cases (load balancing, handover, capacity), making it a direct competitor to AirHop's eSON and Auptim offerings.
- Parallel Wireless: Parallel Wireless provides Open RAN solutions including AI/ML-based RAN optimization across macro and small cells, competing with AirHop for Open RAN automation budgets at global MNOs.
Emerging players
- DeepSig: DeepSig applies AI/ML (including deep learning for radio signal processing) to wireless and RAN optimization use cases, with overlap in Open RAN optimization that intersects with AirHop's Auptim portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AirHop Communications social profiles
Digital presenceAirHop Communications financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AirHop Communications leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
AirHop Communications funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AirHop Communications M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AirHop Communications
What does AirHop Communications do?
AirHop Communications develops AI/ML-powered RAN automation and optimization software for 4G, 5G, and future mobile networks. Its core offerings include the Auptim® portfolio of O-RAN-compliant xApps and rApps deployed on third-party near-real-time and non-real-time RIC platforms, as well as the eSON and eSON360 cloud-native products that deliver real-time closed-loop RAN optimization for traditional pre-O-RAN architectures.
Is AirHop Communications a public or private company?
AirHop Communications is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AirHop Communications founded?
AirHop Communications was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AirHop Communications based?
AirHop Communications is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does AirHop Communications make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are professional Services.
Who are AirHop Communications's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Ericsson, Nokia, Juniper Networks, Mavenir and Cisco. Direct peers are Cohere Technologies, Cellwize (Qualcomm), P.I. Works and Parallel Wireless. DeepSig is listed as an emerging player.
Does AirHop Communications have an API?
No public API is recorded for AirHop Communications.
What industry is AirHop Communications in?
AirHop Communications's product category is RAN Automation and Optimization Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAIAA, vRAN & Open RAN Platforms (CU/DU, RIC, xApps/rApps), with a secondary code of HDAEANAJ, AI Application Enablement Platforms (Copilot/Agent Frameworks, SDKs). Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 7372.