Five ways to get open RAN deployment back on track

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The first commercial deployments of open RAN networks have been announced. But operators are unsure whether to deploy quickly for first-mover advantage or play it safe and wait for more proof points. We explore the causes of open RAN inertia and how operators can get deployments back on track.

Description

Format: PDF filePages: 23 pagesAuthor: Anna BoylePublication Date: July 2023

Table of Contents

  • Executive Summary
  • Table of Figures
  • Consensus for open RAN has crystallised but only trailblazers are deploying at scale
    • The state of open RAN deployment
  • Ecosystem immaturity and transformation inertia are holding back open RAN roll out
    • Direct legacy comparison ROI case is weak
    • Lack of parity proof points on energy efficiency and performance
    • Perceived barrier of bringing in the skills, processes and culture of cloud-native
  • Five reasons why open RAN deployments will get back on track
    • New silicon is coming
    • The performance parity gap will close (largely driven by RIC innovation)
    • The ROI is there if operators allow enough time for the benefits to be realised
    • Operators can realise open RAN benefits now (by deploying aspects of the RIC on legacy networks)
    • SIs will help operators to master cloud-native networks
  • Conclusion
  • Index

Table of Figures

  • Figure 1: Global deployments of open RAN, 2016-2023
  • Figure 2: Open RAN, vRAN, and C-RAN characteristics
  • Figure 3: Open RAN trials and pilots by leading players up to 2022
  • Figure 4: Commercial open RAN deployments, 2020-2025
  • Figure 5: Operators’ predictions for the implementation of open RAN
  • Figure 6: Five reasons why open RAN will get back on track
  • Figure 7: RIC location and functionality explained
  • Figure 8: Indicative matrix of RIC application solutions’ scope and impact
  • Figure 9: RIC applications for power management

 

Technologies and industry terms referenced include: AI, brownfield operators, C-RAN, capex, cloud-native, COTS hardware, CSPs, greenfield operators, KPIs, ML, O-RAN Alliance, open RAN, opex, POCs, RAN, rApps, RIC, silicon, SIs, vRAN, xApps