ODIN Newsletter Week 30
This week features a mix of announcements covered by ODIN as well as stories from Light Reading, Fierce Network, Computer Weekly, VoIP Review covering yet another military application for Open RAN, and RCR Wireless.
We also have an interesting article from the Vietnam Investment Review outlining Qualcomm’s plans for the region with a focus on Open RAN, once again highlighting the geopolitical aspect of the technology.
Finally we have UKTIN’s O-RANOS closing report, a couple of great white papers from Dell and the O-RAN Alliance, and some news from the Private Networks space.
Table of contents:
Open RAN
Open RAN provides silver lining to gloomy RAN forecast
- Telecom analyst firm Dell’Oro Group has published a new report forecasting a continued decline in overall RAN revenues through to 2028.
- There is some good news amidst the gloom: Dell’Oro forecasts growth in several RAN segments despite the overall negative outlook. These include 5G NR, FWA, mmWave, Open RAN, vRAN, private wireless, and small cells.
- This view is shared by Juniper Research who have also just published their own Open RAN forecast.
Read the full article from ODIN here
AT&T CEO outlines Open RAN strategy for sustainable network growth
- AT&T CEO John Stankey emphasized during a recent earnings call that AT&T’s Open RAN strategy is designed to help it grow its network capacity more sustainably.
- AT&T believes future success lies in deploying fiber and wireless assets in a complimentary way. This will help them deal with growing demand in a more cost effective way.
- Open RAN is key to this strategy according to Stankey
Read the full article from ODIN here
Open RAN RIC tests coming to the University of Malaga
- The University of Malaga has selected Keysight’s RAN Intelligent Controller Test Solutions (RICtest) to create testing models for RAN Intelligent Controllers
- As more operators move to Open RAN architectures, test and validation is emerging as a key battleground.
- This latest partnership enhances Malaga’s reputation as an important European hub for Open RAN.
Read the full article from ODIN here
AT&T’s spending to hit six-year high as it ramps Ericsson ‘open RAN’ from Light Reading
- Guidance indicates AT&T could invest up to $12.5 billion in the last six months of 2024 as it switches from Nokia to Ericsson.
- There is a giant question mark over the profitability of this deal for Ericsson.
- Put simply, telcos are not spending on 5G because 5G has not boosted their own sales.
Read the full article from Light Reading here
EchoStar VP: open RAN’s ‘flexibility is priceless’ from Light Reading
Video: EchoStar‘s Ravinder Jarral explains why the open RAN testing and development initiative, ORCID, was launched and how things are progressing both in the lab and out in the field. ORCID is funded by a $50 million grant from the NTIA.
Watch the video on Light Reading
Nokia, Bharti Airtel claim success in 5G NSA Cloud RAN trial from Computer Weekly
- Global comms tech provider successfully completes first 5G non-standalone Cloud RAN trial with leading Indian telco to deliver higher levels of service innovation, higher network automation, flexibility and efficient scaling of resources
- The trial took place in an over-the-air environment using 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G and 2100 MHz for 4G.
- The trial also used Nokia’s L1 acceleration, designed to enable enhanced power efficiency, and is said to have shown the benefits of using common RAN software with the purpose-built part of the network through support of Nokia anyRAN technology
Read the full article from Computer Weekly
Qualcomm’s next steps for burgeoning 5G ecosystem from Vietnam Investment Review
- With positive signals for the plan to commercialise 5G in Vietnam, there are new opportunities for enterprises in the months to come.
- Open RAN standards have significantly accelerated the development of next generation 5G networks with open architecture in Vietnam in several ways.
- (Open RAN) opens opportunities for domestic enterprises to join the 5G equipment and software supply chain, thereby promoting the growth of the local telecommunications industry.
Read the full article from Vietnam Investment Review
Kontron and Amarisoft Launch Durable 5G Solution for Defense from VoIP Review
- Kontron has partnered with Amarisoft to introduce a robust private 5G solution targeting the Defense and Security industries.
- The partnership focuses on providing reliable connectivity in challenging environments – It operates seamlessly in extreme temperatures from -40°C to +65°C and can withstand significant shock and vibration.
- This platform consolidates switching and timing for 4G and 5G open RAN networks while ensuring high processing power and advanced connectivity options.
Read the full article from VoIP Review here
O-RANOS Project Closure Report from UKTIN
- O-RANOS looked at the development of x/r Apps, security models, and deployment of Apps to the RIC that would allow the sharing of network resources between public and private networks.
- The use case described was an ‘ESN’ (emergency Services Network) SIM used on its home network being able to make calls on a Private Network when its home network was no longer available, such as at a large port or a chemical plant.
- The project also looked at the use of Satellite communications to provide backhaul to enable the use of 5G private networks on multiple sites using a single core or to enable the ability to switch messages between different back haul routes.
- The partners in the project were Attocore, WeaverLabs, University of Bristol, Satellite Applications Catapult, Parallel Wireless and Cellnex Telecom.
Read the report from The UK Telecoms Innovation Network
White Paper: 5G Disaggregated RAN Performance Benchmarking Insights from Dell Technologies
This white paper provides some of the performance benchmarks gathered and analyzed in OTEL around Open RAN accelerator card testing and Legacy BBU/Dell PowerEdge energy consumption.
Some of the key takeaways:
- The power consumption of x86-based platforms is improving between generations (XR11 vs XR8620t).
- The Legacy and Standard BBUs can handle three cells, and High Capacity can go up to 12 cells.
- The power consumption by disaggregated RAN is comparable to Legacy solutions at smaller scales, such as up to three cells, close to 5 Gbps user traffic.
- The power consumption by disaggregated RAN is more efficient than Legacy solutions at higher scales, such as up to six cells, close to 10 Gbps user traffic.
Red the White Paper from Dell Technologies here
White Paper: Use Case Analysis on mmWave Antenna Distribution (mWAD) from O-RAN ALLIANCE
“In the dynamic landscape of wireless communication, the arrival of 6G technology emerges as a transformative force, opening the way for exciting capabilities. This research report delves into the complex domain of mmWave Antenna Distribution (mWAD), a critical aspect in the evolution from 5G to 6G. The underlying concept is to interpret the potential of mmWave technology, particularly focusing on its applications in various areas and challenges.”
Read the White Paper from the O-RAN ALLIANCE here
ET TIMES Open RAN Summit 31st july:
India’s telecom industry is betting big on Open Radio Access Network – O RAN as they look to lower network deployment costs with 5G.2 virtual sessions, 6 speakers. Register here.
Private Networks
India’s CloudExtel ramps small cell and fiber infra as digital economy booms from Fierce Network
- The digital infrastructure provider is also looking to play a role in 5G private network segment
- CloudExtel is also exploring inorganic growth as it looks to scale
- It continues to face RoW challenges even as the Government came up with RoW policy to address the issues
Read the full article from Fierce Network
IS-Wireless to install private 5G network at University of York from RCR Wireless
- The university will use the 5G network to create and test its own xApps
- The deal stipulates the installation of essential components of the 5G network including the Near-Real Time RIC (RAN intelligent controller), O-CU (Open RAN centralized unit) and O-DU (Open RAN Distributed Unit), along with certain support services.
- The YO-RAN and REACH projects, led by the University of York, are investigating ways to make mobile networks more effective and more accessible to new providers, using Open RAN (O-RAN) technology
