The telecommunications landscape is undergoing a significant shift. Recently, AT&T, in collaboration with Ericsson and 1Finity, marked a major milestone by successfully making the first Open RAN call using third-party radios. This achievement took place at AT&T Labs and showcases Open RAN’s potential in delivering flexible, efficient networks.
Open RAN, an evolving concept, promises to revolutionize network frameworks. It allows diverse hardware to interoperate through open interfaces. In this instance, Ericsson’s Processor 6672 baseband and 1Finity radios worked seamlessly, exemplifying this potential for flexible, vendor-diverse networks.
The move marks AT&T’s shift from closed, single-vendor systems to a modular approach. Rob Soni, VP of RAN Technology at AT&T, noted this collaboration’s impact on creating a more agile network. “Our collaboration with Ericsson and 1Finity underscores Open RAN’s potential to enhance network flexibility and creativity,” he said.
This endeavor aligns with AT&T’s long-term Open RAN strategy. They’ve planned a $14 billion investment with Ericsson, targeting 70% traffic on open platforms by 2026. The journey towards Open RAN not only supports innovation but also enhances network flexibility and vendor diversity.
Recently, AT&T also pioneered the use of a third-party RAN automation application, or rApp, within a live network. This deployment signals a move from legacy single-vendor environments to dynamic multi-vendor architectures. As rApps optimize network performance, they open paths for further innovation across an expansive developer ecosystem.
