RNC Evolution: Why It’s Still Relevant in 2025

In the race to build fully virtualised 5G networks, the Radio Network Controller (RNC) may seem like a legacy relic. Designed two decades ago to manage 3G radio access networks, it occupies a layer of the telecom stack that newer technologies have subsumed. And yet, the RNC persists.

Even in 2025, operators across the globe continue to run live RNCs. Some are virtualised, some are integrated into multi-technology platforms, and some remain on ageing physical infrastructure. But across all configurations, one fact remains: the RNC still matters.

This blog explores the reasons why the RNC hasn’t been decommissioned everywhere—and why it may continue to hold relevance longer than most industry forecasts have predicted.

1. 3G Still Serves Millions

While smartphone users in capital cities may be enjoying 5G Standalone (SA) throughput, a significant share of global mobile subscribers—particularly in developing markets or rural areas—still rely on 3G UMTS networks.

• IoT modules, such as those used in smart meters and vehicle trackers, are often 3G-based and difficult to upgrade in the field

• Basic feature phones, common in price-sensitive markets, depend on 3G for both voice and data

• Roaming services still require 3G compatibility in many networks

This continued demand keeps RNCs online—not because of technological inertia, but due to market reality.

2. The Cost of Transition Isn’t Always Justified

Shutting down a 3G network isn’t as simple as turning off a switch. It involves:

• Subscriber migration campaigns

• Hardware replacement for millions of users

• Core network reconfiguration

• Public and regulatory notifications

• Vendor support coordination

In many cases, the marginal cost of maintaining the RNC-based infrastructure is lower than the cost of a full-scale migration. Operators often choose to defer investment until the cost-benefit equation becomes more favourable.

3. RNCs Enable Regulatory Compliance

In several countries, regulators have imposed conditions requiring national roaming coverage, emergency call access, and lawful interception capabilities on 3G infrastructure. For these operators:

• Retaining the RNC ensures compliance with public safety obligations

• Shutting it down prematurely could trigger penalties or service outages in areas without 4G/5G coverage

Even where newer technologies are available, service continuity in remote zones depends on legacy radio access managed by RNCs.

4. Technical Stability and Predictability

Unlike newer virtualised platforms that may suffer from teething problems or integration bugs, legacy RNCs offer:

• Mature, battle-tested software

• Stable vendor support contracts

• Predictable performance profiles

For operators managing complex, multi-technology environments, the RNC often represents the most stable part of the network—a known quantity in a sea of evolving standards.

5. Virtual RNCs Extend Relevance

The introduction of virtualised RNCs (vRNCs) has allowed operators to migrate legacy control functions into data centres and cloud environments. These vRNCs:

• Run on standard server hardware

• Integrate with IP transport layers

• Support centralised configuration management

• Scale based on demand and geography

As a result, operators no longer face the binary choice of keeping ageing physical hardware or switching off 3G entirely. vRNCs offer a third path—maintaining legacy services without the legacy footprint.

6. Vendor Support Has Extended Lifecycles

Major vendors such as Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, and ZTE continue to offer support for RNC platforms, either natively or through partner integrations. Operators are offered:

• Software patches for security

• Feature updates (including 3G/4G coordination)

• Integration tools for hybrid environments

These support structures effectively extend the RNC’s lifecycle, keeping it aligned with broader network evolution strategies.

7. RNC as a Training and Testing Layer

Operators with dedicated training labs or operational testbeds often use RNC-based environments to:

• Train engineers on radio access network concepts

• Trial services or upgrades in a controlled, isolated setting

• Conduct simulations of interference, handover, or fallback scenarios

The familiarity and low risk of legacy systems make the RNC ideal for technical skills development and controlled innovation testing.

8. Avoiding Strategic Blind Spots

Decommissioning the RNC without proper planning can expose operators to risks including:

• Loss of roaming revenue from 3G-dependent partners

• Coverage black holes in rural or coastal areas

• QoS degradation where LTE/5G infrastructure is sparse

• Negative customer perception in markets where reliability trumps novelty

Boards and investors should treat the RNC not as a technical liability, but as an active risk surface with both cost and continuity implications.

Signs That an Operator Is Managing RNCs Strategically

Operators who extract value from the RNC in 2025 tend to:

• Virtualise and centralise RNC functions in secure data centres

• Conduct annual audits of 3G user traffic and dependency

• Run predictive models to assess 3G sunsetting impacts by geography

• Include the RNC in cybersecurity plans and vendor roadmaps

• Leverage RNC metrics in network optimisation for fallback resilience

These approaches reflect forward-thinking management, not outdated engineering.

Conclusion: The RNC Is Evolving, Not Expiring

The RNC may no longer define the future of mobile networks, but in 2025 it still protects the present. In areas where 5G isn't yet pervasive, where user devices lag behind infrastructure, or where compliance obligations endure, the RNC provides:

• Reliability

• Continuity

• Cost control

Operators who treat the RNC as a strategic asset—not merely a technical burden—can continue to unlock value from it, while preparing for a future without it on their own terms.