Introduction to Open RAN technology
Open RAN technology is a set of software infrastructure, protocols and interfaces that enable the sharing of functions and resources among multiple radio access networks and radio nodes in a distributed manner. The goal is to support increasing demands for services on mobile devices in an increasingly dense network environment and to provide operators with improved efficiency and reduced cost structures. The Open RAN technology describes the process of implementing an open source Mobile RAN architecture. The idea is that you can share baseband Hardware and software with other vendors, thus making it less costly to build new mobile networks. Open RAN technology is a new type of mobile network architecture.
The RAN stands for radio access network and refers to the hardware and software that connects handsets to cellular towers. Open RAN allows companies to build their own base stations and make innovative use of existing infrastructure like fiber optic networks, creating an opportunity for startups in the wireless industry. Open RAN enables disaggregation of network infrastructure components; it breaks the traditional choke points in operator-controlled networks and allows new players, such as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and telecommunications companies, to compete with incumbent operators. Open RAN technology helps create a level playing field for all market players. Open RAN technology allows the open exchange of information between all layers of the mobile network, and is an essential component of the 5G New Radio standard.
Open RAN helps reduce RAN deployment costs by increased device choice and flexibility in configuration options. Open RAN also supports a more flexible software upgrade cycle by helping service providers and OEMs to release new functionality more quickly. Open RAN enables network operators to build interfaces that enable MNOs to share and deploy their own radio access network (RAN) infrastructure in a secure, collaborative and standardized manner. The Open RAN project is working on common, open RAN interfaces and APIs that will allow MNOs, aggregators and vendors to cooperatively build a commercial ecosystem: from helping them manage their network deployment costs, enabling them to increase the efficiency of software-defined networks, providing early access to innovations for quality improvement and supporting interconnection between different networks. Open RAN technology is a new way to make mobile networks, allowing operators to build their own radio access network (RAN). Open RAN enables the use of commercial off-the-shelf hardware, which can reduce total costs and time required for deployment. Open RAN also opens up new opportunities for companies to develop, test and deploy innovative 5G applications.
Open RAN technology is the standardization of software elements in a radio access network (RAN). The Open RAN Alliance has developed open interfaces, designed to be cleanly modularized and reusable across multiple domains, as well as “open” use cases and verticals which allow for an ecosystem of applications to be built on top of those platforms. Open RAN is a group of technologies for providing a wide range of radio services to mobile phones. These services include voice calls, text messaging, and other data services. For example, we provide communications between your cell phone and the internet. In addition, Open RAN is not only used in cellular systems but also in satellite communication as well. Open RAN is a set of principles and policies that enable the interconnection of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) technologies, such as Fixed LTE and Mobile WiMax, with legacy mobile and fixed networks using non-proprietary interfaces.
