In an article by Iain Morris, the state of open radio access network (RAN) technology is called into question. Despite the establishment of the O-RAN Alliance six years ago with the aim of providing alternatives to major vendors like Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia, the impact of open RAN has been minimal.
Morris suggests that instead of celebrating the failure of open RAN, its supporters should acknowledge its shortcomings in the hope of improving networks, reducing costs, and fostering a more competitive market.
He highlights that despite the formation of the O-RAN Alliance and the development of specifications, small vendors have not gained significant roles in existing telecom networks. The dominance of major vendors remains largely unchallenged, with geopolitical factors playing a significant role in shaping the market.
For example, Huawei’s decline in Europe has benefited Ericsson and Nokia rather than opening opportunities for new players. Even Samsung, often cited as a potential third option for telcos, has seen gains unrelated to open RAN adoption.
Morris argues that what’s often termed “single-vendor open RAN,” where all components come from one vendor, has become accepted in the industry, despite contradicting the original open RAN concept. Furthermore, pairing products from different vendors for open RAN deployments poses challenges in terms of integration and compatibility.
Despite some telco executives expressing concerns about the state of open RAN, there seems to be a reluctance to acknowledge its shortcomings openly. Morris suggests that addressing these issues is essential for meaningful progress in the telecom industry.
