What is the future of OpenRAN?

RAN
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1

Hello dears,

I’ve seen a rise in discussion (and deplyments) of OpenRAN recently.

What are your thoughts bout it?

  • Operators will “shift” from traditional vendors (Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung, ZTE…) to OpenRAN vendors;
  • Traditional vendors will buy (acquire) OpenRAN Vendors;
  • Only 5G Networks will move to OpenRAN (LTE and other legacy networks will remain in traditional model);
  • Google, MS and Facebook will dominate it all;
  • OpenRAN will be a pure hype;
  • Other future?

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I believe Open RAN is mega trend. Changes seem slow, but can’t go against. Similar to software defined network.
If you observe Verizon, one of largest public network operator & RAN equipment buyer, already getting RU and DU from different vendors at the same cell sites.
And a few early adapting MNO’s deploys radio network function (DU, CU) on COTS.
Once 2 deployments become common, I believe various public/enterprise/gov use cases would require specific functions can be innovated by many software providers.
If I look back what happened to Sun microsystems and HP, incumbent RAN vendors management would worry, but employees can be part of innovations at new opportunities.