OpenRAN: Finnish telecom giant Nokia to add open interfaces to its telecom equipment

Finland-based Nokia has announced to add open interfaces in its products in order to enable mobile operators to build networks that are not tied to a vendor.

Under this new approach dubbed Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN), the Finnish company is applying cloud-native principles to deployments of mobile front haul as well as mid-haul networks.

Open RAN is a software-defined network technology, having the potential to provide a cost-effective 5G network service. By making every part of a telecom network interoperable, the new cutting-edge technology is an attempt to reduce dependence on any one vendor. Also, it allows operators to choose different suppliers for different components.

Currently, Nokia along with Huawei and Ericsson supplies most of the equipment for building telecom networks and operators can only choose one for each part of their network. “Nokia is committed to leading the open mobile future by investing in Open RAN and Cloud RAN solutions with the aim of enabling a robust telecom ecosystem with strong network performance and security,” said Tommi Uitto, president of Mobile Networks at Nokia.

Sources said the telecom equipment maker is planning to deploy Open RAN interfaces in its baseband and radio units as part of the implementation plan. An initial set of Open RAN functionalities is likely to become available this year. However, the full suite of interfaces is projected to be available next year.