RAN (Radio Access Network)
RAN (Radio Access Network): is part of a mobile Telecommunication system. It implements a radio access technology. Conceptually, it sits between the mobile phone, and the core network (CN). The mobile phone is also known as user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), etc., depending on the standard. See the following diagram:
CN
/ \
/ \
RAN RAN
/ \ / \
UE UE UE UE
The term RAN is typically used in regards to the GSM, UMTS, and associated family of standards
