Open RAN hardware

Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) is one of the hot topics in the wireless cellular industry today. It involves the idea of interoperability of open hardware, software, and interfaces for cellular wireless networks.

Open RAN benefits include more market competition and customer choice, lower equipment costs, and improved network performance . Open RAN challenges include achieving wide-spread adoption, tech support difficulties, system integration problems, and security risks.

A vRAN replaces BBUs with Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) hardware, but the RAN is still dependent on proprietary interfaces and purpose-built hardware for radio transmissions. Open RAN is an effort to open the RAN altogether. “Current RAN technology is provided as a hardware and software integrated platform.

The Role of vRAN in 5G Networks RAN virtualization is required for 5G networks because the new generation demands more visibility, automation, and adaptability that hardware-based RANs cannot provide.