{"id":55381,"date":"2021-02-11T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T09:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/?p=55381"},"modified":"2024-06-24T15:25:54","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T14:25:54","slug":"the-path-towards-disaggregation-and-diversification-of-mobile-radio-access-networks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/the-path-towards-disaggregation-and-diversification-of-mobile-radio-access-networks\/","title":{"rendered":"The path towards disaggregation and diversification of mobile radio access networks"},"content":{"rendered":"

A\u00a0<\/span>debate on the impact of <\/span>open and virtualised radio\u00a0<\/span>access<\/span>\u00a0network (RAN)<\/span>\u00a0is currently\u00a0<\/span>captivating<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the mobile\u00a0<\/span>industry<\/span>. <\/span>As more mobile operators and governments embrace the desire to diversify the network equipment supplier ecosystem, the debate continues on the merits and measures needed to <\/span>accelerate<\/span>\u00a0this shift.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But w<\/span>hat are the drivers and\u00a0<\/span>uncertainties<\/span>\u00a0in this path towards disaggregation and diversification of RAN infrastructure<\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n

As the build out of 5G connectivity gathers pace, m<\/span>obile operators\u00a0<\/span>are looking\u00a0<\/span>to transform their networks in\u00a0<\/span>highly\u00a0<\/span>significant ways. Motivated by the convergence of technical, commercial and political factors,\u00a0<\/span>many\u00a0<\/span>mobile operators\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>embrac<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0new architectures based on\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>network design principles of virtualisation, cloud computing<\/span>, open interfaces<\/span>\u00a0and network automation<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But\u00a0<\/span>let\u2019<\/span>s be clear, o<\/span>pen interfaces and virtualisation are not new technology principles by themselves.\u00a0<\/span>However, t<\/span>he application of these principles,<\/span>\u00a0with the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>disa<\/span>ggregation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>the RAN infrastructure into interoperable elements and\u00a0<\/span>hardware and software<\/span>, is creating alternative ways to build\u00a0<\/span>mobile networks<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Momentum is growing as the vendor ecosystem ramps up the product portfolio and operators commit to more trials and deployments. <\/span>Highlighting th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0growing demand for more<\/span>\u00a0flexibility<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>f<\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>European\u00a0<\/span>operators recently pledged to work together<\/span>. Their aim is<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>help drive<\/span>\u00a0the development of the disaggregated RAN ecosystem and to commence operation as soon as<\/span>\u00a0solutions become mature\u00a0<\/span>enough<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diversification of the mobile RAN supply chain\u00a0<\/span>is also driving\u00a0<\/span>governments<\/span>\u00a0to take notice<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Most recently, t<\/span>he UK government, following its decision to remove\u00a0<\/span>High Risk Vendors<\/span><\/i>\u00a0from UK networks, set its supply chain diversification objectives as supporting existing suppliers, attracting new suppliers and accelerating open interface solutions.<\/span>\u00a0It has\u00a0<\/span>announced funding\u00a0<\/span>for testbeds, trials and\u00a0<\/span>interoperability testing<\/span>\u00a0of open interface solutions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

O<\/span>pen and<\/span>\u00a0virtualised RAN<\/span>s are<\/span>\u00a0expected to deliver\u00a0<\/span>both<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>technical and economic<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>benefits<\/span>, increasing\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>flexibility and diversity of the network equipment and software ecosystem and\u00a0<\/span>spurring innovation.\u00a0<\/span>By reducing the cost, open and virtualised RAN will\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>help to optimise\u00a0<\/span>the almost trillion-dollar global operator investment needed to achieve connectivity targets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span>often the case with the early phase <\/span>of innovative solutions<\/span>, a<\/span>\u00a0number of<\/span>\u00a0challenges\u00a0<\/span>will need to be\u00a0<\/span>overcome<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to enable mass deployment of these technology principles.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In our recently published<\/span>\u00a0paper<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Open and Virtualised Radio Access Networks, An Explanatory Guide for Policymakers<\/a>, we outline some of the<\/span>\u00a0challenges<\/span>, including<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>security of networks<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>industry readiness and cost<\/span>\u00a0effectiven<\/span>ess.\u00a0<\/span>Whilst the\u00a0<\/span>mobile industry is undertaking a number of initiatives to address<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0there is a recognition that accelerated measures are needed to ensure equipment interoperability, security and reliability, as well as sufficient systems integration capabilities and skills.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mobile infrastructure is a competitive differentiator,\u00a0<\/span>and each operator will make its own network design and configuration choices\u00a0<\/span>to align with different business strategies<\/span>\u00a0and demand scenarios<\/span>. However, policy has a role in this evolution, creating an enabling environment that will support the\u00a0<\/span>deployment of new RAN infrastructure.\u00a0<\/span>O<\/span>ur\u00a0<\/span>paper\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>identifies a number of ways in which p<\/span>olicymakers can support the transition to\u00a0<\/span>mix-and-match RAN\u00a0<\/span>infrastructure\u00a0<\/span>including:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n