O-RAN ALLIANCE Global PlugFest Fall 2024 Showcased Advancement of Open and Intelligent RAN Solutions
- O-RAN Global PlugFests enable well-organized testing and integration of O-RAN-based products and solutions in a neutral, cooperative environment
- Participants at the O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024 demonstrated progress in diverse areas of open and intelligent RAN solutions
- The PlugFest was co-hosted by 29 operators, OTICs, and academic and research institutions in 28 labs around the globe
- A total of 115 companies and institutions participated, with some involved in multiple venues
The O-RAN ALLIANCE (O-RAN) announced the successful completion of its ninth PlugFest: the O-RAN ALLIANCE Global PlugFest Fall 2024.
O-RAN ALLIANCE co-sponsors semi-annual Global PlugFests, hosted by operators, Open Testing and Integration Centres (OTICs), and academic and research institutions, to enable efficient progress of developing products and solutions based on O-RAN specifications. Any company with O-RAN membership is free to participate and benefit from well organized testing and integration in a neutral, cooperative environment. Efforts at O-RAN PlugFests are prioritized in themes to maintain focus on key areas.
Each O-RAN PlugFest advances the development of innovative O-RAN based technologies and solutions. Participants at the O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024 demonstrated progress in diverse areas, including:
- Performance improvements of open and interoperable RAN in combination with intelligent network management functions, based on Near-Real-Time and Non-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controllers (RIC)
- RIC solutions newly developed by providers, operators and academic institutions
- Network energy savings measured according to ETSI energy efficiency test specifications
- Using open source software to deliver RAN functions
- Test automation and delivery of repeatable results consistent across different test labs
- Point-to-Multipoint Open Fronthaul transport for reducing network power consumption and the number of required devices
- Multi-operator Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) to enhance adaptability, security, and resilience of the RAN for public safety and peacekeeping missions
- O-RAN conformance and interoperability testing of products from an increasing number of providers
O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024 took place at 11 venues, co-hosted by 29 operators, OTICs, and academic and research institutions. It was conducted from August to November 2024 in 28 labs across Asia, Europe, and North America. The PlugFest had in total 115 participating companies and institutions, some of which participated in more than one venue.
O-RAN ALLIANCE plans to include details from the O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024 into its PlugFest Virtual Showcase early next year.
“On top of its specification efforts, the O-RAN ALLIANCE facilitates the delivery of its mission through its PlugFests, Certification and Badging Program for O-RAN based products, and support of open source software development,” said Chih-Lin I, Co-chair of O-RAN ALLIANCE’s Technical Steering Committee and China Mobile Chief Scientist, Wireless Technologies, China Mobile Research Institute. “At each PlugFest we see a shift towards more advanced and more complex innovative solutions capable of delivering tangible value for mobile network deployments. Thank you to PlugFest hosts and labs for enabling a cooperative environment and to all participants for their progress in developing O-RAN based products and solutions.”
