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.