5 Key Things You Should Know About Open RAN Deployment
O-RAN is key to enabling optimized and powerful end-to-end solutions for 5G networking. Systems integration is necessary for the deployment of end-to-end 5G solutions that span multi-layers and multi-domains. O-RAN supports 5G network integration, offering a first-class solution that integrates with hardware and radio unit components to operate seamlessly together.
With O-RAN, communications service providers and enterprise businesses can access customized solutions that fulfill their 5G networking requirements.
The Opportunity for O-RAN
5G possibilities are limitless, however, end-to-end network integration is necessary to power the technology. Due to the diverse use cases for 5G, a different approach to network rollout is required. In order to operate for use cases such as autonomous control and AR-VR applications, 5G networks need coverage and capacity as well as the edge and managed latency layers. As the product and feature requirements for specific 5G use cases are so diverse, it is almost impossible to be provided by a single telecommunications vendor.
As O-RAN is vendor agnostic, it provides a wide range of solutions for 5G operators, so that they can offer service quality, vertical-specific applications, and low latency performance without worrying about choosing one hardware, networking, or radio vendor.
The following are five key things to know about O-RAN integrations and deployments.
1. A System Integrators are Important
When O-RAN is deployed, the network becomes more complex as there are multiple factors to consider. In many cases, O-RAN networks involve MEC, cloud, and network components from a number of vendors all working together to assure high service performance. This is a complex task, in which systems must be meticulously validated and fine-tuned. As such, most operators will opt for working with System Integrators as opposed to providing their own integration. A System Integrator with experience in domains and O-RAN deployment can deliver on deploying even the most complex O-RAN networks including those for Ultra Low Latency and massive Machine Type Communication networks.
2. Testing is Crucial
When deploying O-RAN solutions, comprehensive end-to-end validation is crucial. While O-RAN standards are open, it is important to thoroughly test devices, configurations, and applications as end-to-end solutions to ensure different interpretations and specifications of different vendors can work together. There are many elements that should be tested in a multivendor O-RAN network, including use case testing, system validation, performance testing, and environmental simulation. This requires wide-ranging infrastructure and proficiency.
- Product Development Expertise is Key
In order to deploy an effective O-RAN solution, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of hardware development and design, combined with an equally deep understanding of radio products. In addition, it is crucial to have the ability to fine-tune the end-to-end performance of the system and instantly identify and locate issues that occur within the multivendor environment.
4. The Challenge of SLAs in Multi-Vendor Environments
With a range of different vendors, all with distinct components, maintaining operational performance throughout the life cycle of the network can be challenging. One of the key challenges is that each vendor in the O-RAN environment may operate under various SLAs at the component level. In order to overcome this challenge, a clear set of performance requirements should be established, and responses from vendors coordinated, so that and resulting actions can be implemented. This is required to ensure SLAs are met for distinct components, as well as at the overall system level from an end-to-end solution perspective.
5. Consider Lifecycle Management
After the initial deployment of an O-RAN solution, there are constant lifecycle management tasks that must be carried out such as updates, upgrades, fine-tuning, and improving the network. This involves ensuring the continuous integration of components from vendors as they are updated on the vendor’s side, which involves coding, managing, and sustaining processes for upgrades and updates across the different vendor components. It is also critical to ensure integration into the Communication Service Provider’s own network systems and services. One way to circumvent this becoming an issue once the network is live, is to run a pilot deployment.
In Conclusion
Open RAN will provide telecommunications providers with the required flexibility to choose the necessary hardware and software components that best suit the needs of the project. It also has the potential of reducing software costs by increasing competition. However, deployments will be challenging due to increased complexity, and initial development costs.
VIAVI Solutions is a preeminent O-RAN test company. Our portfolio encompasses robust device, antenna and core test solutions that span the entire Open RAN lifecycle. Contact us to find out more about O-RAN deployment.
