Arrow right
Vendors - Driving Open RAN Standards and Interoperability | i14y Lab Summit 2024
VENDORS

Driving Open RAN Standards and Interoperability

The i14y Lab Summit 2024 brought together an expert panel of vendors to explore the critical role of certification in advancing Open RAN (Radio Access Network) standards. The session titled “Vendors: On Meeting and Reaching Open RAN Expectations” featured experts sharing their experiences, challenges, and strategies for creating a collaborative Open RAN ecosystem through certification frameworks. This discussion emphasized the importance of standardized processes and strong partnerships in fostering innovation and interoperability.

Certification and Its Role in the Open RAN Ecosystem

Moderator Holger Erkens (Deutsche Telekom) set the stage by outlining the purpose and significance of certification in the Open RAN context. He explained that certification aims to validate solutions in a controlled environment like the i14y Lab, reducing the need for operators to conduct repeated testing across various settings. By ensuring pretested, interoperable solutions, certification helps save costs and streamline integration for operators and vendors alike.

 

Currently, two major certification frameworks are emerging: one led by the O-RAN Alliance and another by the Telecom Infra Project (TIP). These frameworks target different aspects of a product’s lifecycle, and the hope is that both will become standard practices in the industry. As Open RAN solutions become more widespread, certification will be instrumental in establishing confidence and ensuring that multi-vendor solutions can operate seamlessly together.

Certification and Its Role in the Open RAN Ecosystem
Industry Perspectives on Certification

Jan-Peter Meyer-Kahlen (Ericsson) drew parallels between the current state of Open RAN and earlier phases of mobile network evolution, such as the introduction of 2G and GSM. He highlighted that in the past, vendors had to ensure interoperability through large-scale testing sessions before launching new technologies. While today’s certification processes are more sophisticated, the goal remains the same: achieving high-level functional interoperability that extends beyond basic compatibility to include considerations like network load and unforeseen issues.

 

Jan-Peter also shared insights on Ericsson’s role in the U.S. market, where they are collaborating with major operators like AT&T to test and certify Open RAN solutions. This collaboration is part of a broader industry trend where large operators are making significant investments in Open RAN, supported by public funding and the establishment of dedicated testing and certification labs. These initiatives are crucial for building a robust Open RAN ecosystem that can support future advancements, including the integration of AI-driven solutions and new generations of network technologies.

Industry Perspectives on Certification

Rainer Hogen (Fujitsu) emphasized that certification is not just a technical exercise but a vital process that brings together multiple stakeholders, facilitates troubleshooting, and ensures that different network components can work together efficiently. This collaborative approach is cost-effective and reduces the burden on individual operators, allowing them to make informed decisions based on pretested, certified solutions.

 

Fujitsu’s involvement in the U.S. market, particularly in the ORCHID Lab and other testing environments, underscores the importance of certification for ensuring interoperability between their radio units (RUs) and various central unit/distributed unit (CU/DU) solutions. This effort is a cornerstone of Fujitsu’s strategy to strengthen its position in the Open RAN ecosystem.

Nitin Jain (VVDN) shared the company’s perspective as both a technology provider and a partner to larger vendors like Ericsson and Fujitsu. VVDN focuses on developing custom hardware and software for telecom products, including radios, RIC platforms, and other network components. 

 

Certification, he noted, is crucial for demonstrating the reliability of these products and gaining the trust of larger industry players. He also added that by a clear definition of standards and processes - for example also through a lab like the i14y Lab - everything would be accelerated and help the ecosystem players move faster into the Open RAN space. 

 

In that sense, Nitin said, certification is like a brand allowing to communicate capabilities - and thus a means to acceleration.

Collaboration and Trust as the Cornerstones of Open RAN Success

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need for collaboration and trust among vendors and operators. The panelists agreed that while certification is essential for ensuring technical compatibility, it is also a process that fosters closer partnerships and shared understanding. This is particularly important in Open RAN, where the traditional boundaries between vendors and operators are being redefined.

 

Holger concluded the session by highlighting the i14y Lab’s role as a facilitator in this ecosystem. As a neutral testing environment, the lab provides a space for vendors to test their solutions, resolve integration issues, and achieve certification in a collaborative setting. This approach not only accelerates the adoption of Open RAN, but also sets a strong foundation for future innovations.

Collaboration and Trust as the Cornerstones of Open RAN Success
Looking Ahead

As Open RAN continues to evolve, the certification landscape will play a pivotal role in shaping its success. The panelists agreed that the next steps involve expanding certification efforts to cover a broader range of products and interfaces, inviting more vendors into the ecosystem, and ensuring that the solutions being developed today are robust enough to support the networks of tomorrow.

 

By establishing clear standards and fostering strong partnerships, the industry can pave the way for a truly open, interoperable RAN environment that benefits operators, vendors, and end-users alike.

 

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