Systems and methods are provided by which a radio controller, also called a radio intelligence controller (RIC), is configured as a platform that hosts one or more third party applications. The radio controller platform provides the applications with access to radio access network (RAN) information and a command interface. An application programming interface is defined between the applications and the radio controller. The radio controller collects information from the RAN node and makes that information available to the applications. The applications also provide input information to the radio controller, such as in the form of a commands or a radio controller policy. The radio controller policy rules from the applications are executed by the radio controller or direct the radio controller to query one of the applications for an instruction.