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Open RAN

A movement to create a more open, intelligent, and fully interoperable Radio Access Network (RAN).

AbbreviationO-RAN
Categorynetwork

Overview

Traditionally, the RAN (the part of the mobile network that connects your phone to the tower) has been a 'black box' provided by a single vendor (e.g., Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei). Open RAN aims to break this monopoly by defining open interfaces between the different components of the RAN.

Key Goals

  • Interoperability: Mix and match hardware and software from different vendors.
  • Intelligence: Use AI and machine learning to optimize radio performance (via the RAN Intelligent Controller - RIC).
  • Virtualization: Run RAN functions as software on standard servers (vRAN).

Benefits

  • Reduced Costs: Increased competition and use of off-the-shelf hardware.
  • Faster Innovation: Easier for new players to enter the market with specialized software.