What is Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN)?

 Short for Open Radio Access Network, Open RAN, is critical to 5G deployment. In India, the Open RAN architecture is essential but also fraught with challenges. Let us first understand what O-RAN is

You might have come across the term Open RAN if you have been following news around 5G. Open Radio Access Network, or Open RAN, is a key part of a mobile network system that uses cellular radio connections to link individual devices to other parts of a network. It comprises antennae, which transmits and receives signals to and from our smartphones or other compatible devices. The signal is then digitised in the RAN-base station and connected to the network.

In the traditional set-up, Radio Access Network is provided as an integrated platform of both hardware and software. Therefore, it is difficult to mix vendors for the radio and baseband unit, and in most cases, they come from the same supplier. The idea of Open RAN is to change this, and enable operators to mix and match components. It goes a step further by opening the interfaces inside the base station. The Open RAN architecture allows for the separation – or disaggregation – between hardware and software with open interfaces…Read More