Open RAN, The virtualised and open mobile access network

Open RAN enables the deployment of mobile access networks using components from multiple vendors, through open and standard interfaces. Operators devote considerable investment in the deployment, maintenance and management of a mobile access network, so they are constantly on the lookout for new architectures and evolutions that may help them reduce costs. The Open RAN approach seeks to eliminate vendor Lock-in by introducing open and standard interfaces capable of "opening up" the network and ensuring interoperability. By doing that, the supply chain can be diversified and innovation can be encouraged with the entry of new competitors.

Benefits of Open RAN

There are many reasons why operators are betting on Open RAN technology. As previously mentioned, Open RAN avoids vendor lock-in: it offers an alternative to the limited choice of traditional vendors and considerably diversifies the ecosystem. It can also provide operators with much greater agility and flexibility when it comes to selecting the solutions and implementing deployments.

In a nutshell, the main benefits of Open RAN are:

• Diversity of the Open RAN ecosystem
• Possibility of implementing open and standard interfaces
• Automation in the life cycle of network functions
• Lower costs
• Agility in the creation of the network and services

Challenges

Open RAN also poses a number of challenges to operators, most of which arise from the operational complexity inherent in a multi-vendor network. The broad array of software and hardware components from different vendors can become a real challenge for operators, as interoperability between all of them (based on the standard interfaces defined by the 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance) must be guaranteed. This means that the operator or integrator is required to validate the solution end to end.

Another underlying challenge in this context is that once the network is deployed, how to establish the accountability of vendors, integrator and operator if a problem arises? This issue will be addressed in the present insight, among other aspects.

We at Minsait propose a series of strategic guidelines to respond to the market challenges.