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The Evolution and Future of Open RAN | i14y Lab Summit 2024
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The Evolution and Future of Open RAN

The i14y Lab Summit 2024 brought together key industry voices to discuss the current state and future of Open RAN. Robert Curran, and Shamik Mishra discussed the complex dynamics shaping Open RAN adoption with Stéphane Téral. The conversation ranged from technological innovations to ecosystem challenges and offered a sobering yet optimistic view of Open RAN’s potential as well as the obstacles in its way.

Deep Dive into the Market and Technological Landscape of Open RAN

Earlier on the agenda of the i14y Lab Summit, both Robert Curran from Appledore Research and Shamik Mishra from Capgemini Engineering shared detailed insights that set the stage for the collaborative discussion during this panel. Their individual talks dove into complementary areas: Robert provided an in-depth analysis of the current market landscape, while Shamik explored the technical developments needed to accelerate Open RAN’s adoption.

 

For a more detailed understanding of their perspectives, you can watch their full keynotes below:

 

Tracing the Roots and Current State of Open RAN

Stéphane Téral traced the origins of Open RAN back to 2010, when AT&T began looking into more flexible, software-driven alternatives to traditional RAN. This was driven by the need to alleviate network congestion caused by the surge in smartphone usage. From then on, Open RAN has been a work-in-progress, with notable milestones in virtualization and disaggregation.

 

Despite its growth, the ecosystem has seen its share of setbacks. Stéphane noted that spending on testing and certification labs for Open RAN has reached double the market value, and that the RAN market itself is experiencing a decline, with only Open RAN showing positive growth.

Tracing the Roots and Current State of Open RAN

Shifting Priorities and Challenges for Open RAN Adoption

Robert Curran highlighted how the agenda for Open RAN has shifted. Initially seen as a cost-saving measure, the focus has moved to providing unique capabilities that conventional RAN cannot offer. Achieving parity with existing 4G networks remains a significant challenge. Without clear customer-facing benefits, Open RAN could struggle to gain traction.

 

He emphasized that future adoption will depend on Open RAN's ability to leverage cloud computing and deliver features like improved automation, faster innovation cycles, and better energy efficiency—areas where traditional RAN solutions lag.

Shifting Priorities and Challenges for Open RAN Adoption

Investment, Ecosystem Survival, and Market Trends

Shamik Mishra addressed a critical issue: the need for increased investment in the Open RAN ecosystem. While some players are surviving through niche markets such as aerospace, defense, and private networks, broader adoption among telecom operators is still lagging. He argued that more substantial investments are required to develop a sustainable ecosystem with diverse vendors and innovative technologies.

 

Stéphane echoed this sentiment, observing that while the Open RAN segment is currently one of the few bright spots in the telecom equipment market, it is not immune to the broader decline in RAN spending. This raises the question of whether the current momentum can be maintained without more aggressive support from major telecom operators.

Investment, Ecosystem Survival, and Market Trends

Looking Forward: The Role of System Integrators and Industry Cooperation

Robert pointed out a surprising trend: system integrators have not played as large a role in Open RAN deployment as initially expected. Many believed that breaking down the RAN architecture would require significant integration expertise, yet this has not been the case. Shamik suggested that, moving forward, more prominent integration roles will be essential to realizing the full potential of Open RAN.

 

The panel concluded by noting that, while innovations like new waveforms and private wireless networks are promising, Open RAN must continue to evolve its value proposition. Competing technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and 7 are rapidly gaining ground, particularly in enterprise settings. To succeed, Open RAN will need to offer something truly unique.

Looking Forward: The Role of System Integrators and Industry Cooperation

While the technology has made significant strides, its future will depend on the industry’s willingness to invest, innovate, and adapt. With strong competition and an evolving telecom landscape, the next few years will be critical for Open RAN to prove its value and secure its place in the market.

 

You can watch the entire discussion here

 

For more information about the i14y Lab Summit 2024 and the other talks and panel discussions, visit our event page.