Mavenir: OpenRAN – What It Is and What It Means for Rural Operators
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The document discusses the concepts of OpenRAN, O-RAN, and vRAN, outlining their distinctions and the benefits of OpenRAN, such as interoperability and cost reduction. It highlights the current challenges in adopting OpenRAN, including vendor lock-in and the need for more affordable radio units. The summary emphasizes the importance of open standards for fostering a diverse ecosystem and driving the deployment of 5G technologies.
Mavenir: OpenRAN – What It Is and What It Means for Rural Operators
- 1. Copyright Mavenir 2020 mavenir.com OpenRAN and 5G John Baker SVP, Business Development March 25, 2020
- 2. Agenda Introduction Section 1: What is the Difference? OpenRAN, O-RAN, vRAN What is OpenRAN Questions Section 2: Drivers for OpenRAN Addressing 5G OpenRAN Challenges Questions Section 3: The Economics of OpenRAN 3GPP Security Questions Summary & Close Copyright Mavenir 2020 2
- 3. Copyright Mavenir 2020 3 MAVENIR The Industry’s Only End-to-End Cloud Native Network Software Provider Redefining the Mobile Network Economics
- 4. What is the Difference Between OpenRAN, O-RAN and vRAN? Copyright Mavenir 2020 4 OpenRAN - disaggregated RAN functionality built using open interface specifications between elements. Can be implemented in vendor-neutral hardware and software-defined technology based on open interfaces and community- developed standards. vRAN – an implementation of the RAN in a more open and flexible architecture which virtualizes network functions in software platforms based on general purpose processors. vRAN utilizing open interfaces is one component of OpenRAN O-RAN – refers to the O-RAN Alliance or designated specification. O-RAN Alliance is a specification group defining next generation RAN infrastructures, empowered by principles of intelligence and openness.
- 5. 5 The First OpenRAN Deployments are now underway OpenRAN is more than virtualized RAN Copyright Mavenir 2020
- 6. Multi-Vendor RAN Interoperability using O-RAN Open Fronthaul Copyright Mavenir 2020 6 § Lower RAN TCO § Faster innovation from diverse ecosystem § Increase RAN supplier diversity § O-RAN open Fronthaul interface § TIP Evenstar Project - $1000 Radio Unit from MTI § Mavenir Base Band Unit
- 7. Drivers for OpenRAN Copyright Mavenir 2020 7 • Dependence…on walled garden suppliers • Frustration…around the ability to change • Achievable…Open standards for RAN • Formation…OpenRAN ecosystem • Not a revolution – need Carrier adoption • Hard decisions and risk taking Operators need to start now or face the consequences
- 8. Open Source – Processes and platforms Addressing 5G OpenRAN Challenges Copyright Mavenir 2020 8 Bits/sec/hertz/$ - New TCO Business Models, Cost and Resiliency Virtualization - All Elements Virtualized except the Radio Open Interfaces – Resistance to Vendor Lock in Low cost RRUs – Merchant Chipsets replacing proprietary design New Suppliers - Open, Multi-Vendor, enlarged supply chain
- 9. OpenRAN Copyright Mavenir 2020 9 Open Interface Applications on Open Market Hardware Anything else is considered proprietary Major Ecosystem Influencers include: Facebook, TIP, OpenCompute, O-RAN vRAN is an Application
- 10. System Integration • Feature management • Radio calibrations • e2e system testing • Fault and Performance Management • NOC Integration • KPI Management Copyright Mavenir 2020 10
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- 17. Copyright Mavenir 2020 The crucial role of cost to drive OpenRAN deployments 60% of operators believe that the lack of a low-cost RRU is a major obstacle or slowing down OpenRAN deployments 35% of operators indicate cost savings as the main driver to adoption of OpenRAN 68% operators would consider deploying RRU and BBU from different vendors in OpenRAN deployments Source: Senza Fili Survey Sep2019 17
- 18. 3GPP is not an Open Standard • Recommending 3GPP as an ‘open interface’ is not correct – Example: The front haul interface between the remote radio unit and the baseband unit (known as the Radio Access Network – RAN) where a specification was produced by 3GPP…but as many as 200 parameters of that interface were left to manufacturer choice, allowing it to become a proprietary interface • Interfaces are specified but not implemented – X2 interface for internode handoff – Not activated in vendor release Copyright Mavenir 2020 18
- 19. Open Standards can create Solutions to Address Documented Security Issues • Network solutions often come from different sources ü Leads to the creation of a variety of testing procedures and methodologies to ensure that network components support all the security and performance requirements of the network users • Since most standards are also open, the methods for testing are also open ü If the tests have full coverage for the security features that a network operator wants • The outcome of the testing will be a network component that shows compliance to the full coverage of test cases • The advantage of open testing standards is: ü Giving users and network operators the ability to see what security testing is performed and how testing is performed ü Knowing what security test cases are being performed allows the operator to confirm that the test meets specific requirements Copyright Mavenir 2020 19
- 20. Summary Copyright Mavenir 2020 20 •OpenRAN is real and underway •Open standards and interfaces are achievable •OpenRAN ecosystem in formation •OpenRAN is Not a revolution – need Carrier adoption •OpenRAN TCO – computed across whole business •Moving the core to the edge enables 5G low latency services and a profitable business plan. With 4G & 5G, the Industry is seeing a Significant Transformation
- 21. Copyright Mavenir 2020 mavenir.com Thank You John Baker SVP Business Development March 25th 2020 Connect : linkedin.com/in/johnmarkbaker/ John.baker@mavenir.com