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Assessment of Open Ran: Difference between revisions
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Open Ran provides flexibility in many ways<ref name=":0" />. First, it enables the vendor to choose its hardware and software supplier. This improves the quality of the network. Secondly, it enables the vendor to choose the timeline of various deployments within the Open Ran architecture. For example, the operator can start with a single vendor and then initiate multi-vendor deployments later. Similarly, the operator can choose whether to deploy visualization and automation immediately or wait until the first phase pays off first. Thirdly, Open Ran enables the operator to optimize the network to meet their needs, unlike when the vendor provided a single optimized solution. | Open Ran provides flexibility in many ways<ref name=":0" />. First, it enables the vendor to choose its hardware and software supplier. This improves the quality of the network. Secondly, it enables the vendor to choose the timeline of various deployments within the Open Ran architecture. For example, the operator can start with a single vendor and then initiate multi-vendor deployments later. Similarly, the operator can choose whether to deploy visualization and automation immediately or wait until the first phase pays off first. Thirdly, Open Ran enables the operator to optimize the network to meet their needs, unlike when the vendor provided a single optimized solution. | ||
===Increases diversity | ===Increases diversity=== | ||
Open Ran removes the monopolistic behavior that has dominated the industry for a long-time. Traditionally, the supply of hardware and software products was shared among three players, namely Ericsson, Nokia, and Huawei<ref name=":1" />. This made the closed network solution supplied by these vendors expensive. However, Open Ran will create diversity as Dr. Femi Adeyemi, Head of Wireless at Fujitsu Network Communications<ref name=":0" />, said, “The entrance barriers are low, and many new players can enter the environment. But the exit barriers are also low. A wide ecosystem forces vendors to be competitive.” His words were echoed by Peter Claydon, President of Picocom<ref name=":1" />, who said, “Open RAN can democratize the ecosystem by lowering the barriers to entry and allowing more players to enter the market.” | Open Ran removes the monopolistic behavior that has dominated the industry for a long-time. Traditionally, the supply of hardware and software products was shared among three players, namely Ericsson, Nokia, and Huawei<ref name=":1" />. This made the closed network solution supplied by these vendors expensive. However, Open Ran will create diversity as Dr. Femi Adeyemi, Head of Wireless at Fujitsu Network Communications<ref name=":0" />, said, “The entrance barriers are low, and many new players can enter the environment. But the exit barriers are also low. A wide ecosystem forces vendors to be competitive.” Competition among the different vendors will necessitate innovation in an effort to stay relevant in the market. His words were echoed by Peter Claydon, President of Picocom<ref name=":1" />, who said, “Open RAN can democratize the ecosystem by lowering the barriers to entry and allowing more players to enter the market.” With more players, supply of hardware and software solutions will increase, resulting in lower prices. | ||
===Enables automation=== | ===Enables automation=== | ||
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===Enables the operator to add virtualization and cloud to its architecture=== | ===Enables the operator to add virtualization and cloud to its architecture=== | ||
Although Open Ran can do without Virtual Ran (vRan) and Cloud Ran(cRan), their addition to the network will enable the operator to reap its full benefits<ref name=":0" />. Virtualization is the separation of hardware and software features. On the other hand, Cloud Ran refers to the realization of RAN functions over a generic computing platform instead of visiting a network site. Any RAN performance issues can cause havoc to the customer; hence its operations need to be handled via a data center approach<ref name=":2" />. This is accomplished via virtualization and cloud-native architecture. It should also be noted that the RAN’s flexibility will not be fully achieved without virtualization. | Although Open Ran can do without Virtual Ran (vRan) and Cloud Ran(cRan), their addition to the network will enable the operator to reap its full benefits<ref name=":0" />. Virtualization is the separation of hardware and software features. On the other hand, Cloud Ran refers to the realization of RAN functions over a generic computing platform instead of visiting a network site. Any RAN performance issues can cause havoc to the customer; hence its operations need to be handled via a data center approach<ref name=":2" />. This is accomplished via virtualization and cloud-native architecture. It should also be noted that the RAN’s flexibility will not be fully achieved without virtualization. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||