10.05.2022 Open RAN World in Berlin
Sinnwell visits Open RAN World in Berlin
For the first time in 2 years, the industry around the topic of Open RAN met at the “Open RAN World” in Berlin. What took place entirely virtually last year finally happened in person – and Sinnwell was there!
The many presentations and discussion panels showed what had often already been observed: the media were and still are too optimistic in their portrayal of the “Open RAN” technology approach.
Solutions that are already in use and have been implemented according to the Open RAN approach are, in reality, only “partially” Open RAN. Until we can speak of a truly complete Open RAN, it will certainly take some time – Open RAN is the goal, but as one participant at the congress described it, “still a journey of 10 to 15 years…”.
The topic is still in its infancy, even though some IT companies claimed that “they are ready…”. Primarily, it is the interaction of all system components that continues to be the biggest challenge for everyone involved.
Many things still need to be clarified; ultimately, there was even a discussion panel on this with the title:
“Is Open RAN finally becoming reality”.
Open RAN will become a reality – that much is certain – naturally also with a special focus on the associated security risks. In many individual cases (campus networks, etc.), the principle is already possible, but not yet in the public environment and certainly not globally.
The key question is how we implement Open RAN into the existing network and how overall network management is carried out.
It represents a complete transformation for the industry, with globalization and standardization. The path toward this will fundamentally change telecommunications in such a way that it becomes increasingly IT-driven. With the required Open RAN technology, however, companies will be offered new opportunities. Since one cannot “grow against the technology,” all companies will (have to) take part.
“He who does not move with the times moves with time”
2030 – according to one speaker – everything will have changed. And “2030 is tomorrow.” The network can also be improved without Open RAN, but it will be Open RAN. The basic prerequisite for this is a solid and comprehensive fiber-optic expansion.
…and we at Sinnwell are already part of this exciting journey today!
