Open RAN enables mobile network operators to achieve continuous structural transformation by using non-proprietary components from different vendors. Industry-wide standards, followed by telecommunications providers during device development, make this concept possible. The focus is on programmable, intelligent, decentralized, virtualized and interoperable functions.
Founded in 2018, the O-RAN Alliance is a progressive global community of mobile network operators, manufacturers, vendors, and telecommunications research and academic organizations. Open RAN usually refers to the decentralized radio access network with open interfaces between network components from different providers. O-RAN, on the other hand, refers to the O-RAN Alliance and its initiatives.
The implementation of O-RAN provides vendors with a clear path to fully programmable, intelligent and multi-vendor RAN. Through the Open RAN RIC architecture, technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be integrated, resulting in faster, innovative services and lower total cost of ownership.
The benefits of Open RAN include intelligent and programmable networks, economics from data centers to wireless networks, reduced total cost of ownership, vendor flexibility, automation and manageability, and accelerated time to market.