OpenRAN is only a matter of time and investments
NEPs – including Ericsson and Nokia – pushedtheir agendas for O-RAN at MWC, with Ericsson enhancingits networks’ portfolio to maximize performance in an open RAN environment, while Nokia released a position paper ahead of MWC that highlighted the lack of maturity and commitment among competitors to enabling O-RAN. Moreover, the first O-RAN Alliance Summit was held at MWC24, with the summit emphasizing how environment should enable solutions that address energy efficiency, automation, agility, security, etc.
MWC24 highlighted the importance of data and the role of AI and automation as augmentation for engineering and operational tasks. It emphasized the need for automation to manage various networks functions efficiently, highlighting a shift from CAPEX to OPEX. The application of AI in O-RAN, network configuration, traffic steering, spectrum efficiency, predictive maintenance, along with how to implement AI in building a digital twin of the network for revenue uplift and enhanced customer experience, were emphasized. While 84% of telcos have reached some level of autonomy in their overall networks, aspirations for higher levels – especially through using AI capabilities – are increasing.
Players along the telco value chain, including Intel, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, HPE, etc., are partnering up and aiming to get closer to the enterprise customer through enabling cloud transformations in the telco industry and leveraging edge computing solutions.