Vendor lock-in issue will be resolved, and various countries and regions can develop flexible radio access networks,
which consequently help to create an abundant future society where no one will be left behind.
- TOP
- The world of Open RAN
The world of Open RAN
What’s Open RAN?
Open RAN is a radio access network (RAN) that allows devices and systems from various vendors to interconnect via standardized, open-specification base stations.
Closed network
Interconnection restricted to devices of only one vendor
- Base station market is dominated by few players
- Base station equipment prices have remained high
Make the specifications open
Open RAN
Allows multiple vendor devices to interconnect
- Develops flexible and scalable radio access networks
- Expands opportunities for new vendors to enter the base station market, which will revitalize the market
- Allows vendors to focus on developing devices that they are good at
Make the specifications open
Benefits for overseas operators
01
Lowered supply chain risks
02
Reasonable pricing
Wider opportunities for new vendors will make the base station market more dynamic (competitive), preventing equipment prices from hovering at high levels. Use of general-purpose servers will also lead to cost reduction.
03
Quality improvement
Multivendor vRAN where vendors’ strengths are fused using DOCOMO’s know-how offers a stable network environment.
Towards Realizing Truly Open RANs
Open fronthaul
DOCOMO has integrated multi-vendor radio units (RUs) and central units (CUs) as well as distributed units (DUs) using dedicated hardware with O-RAN Alliance-compliant interfaces.
In March 2020, DOCOMO launched the world's first nationwide 5G Open RAN service.
DOCOMO's achievements in Japan
5G Subscribers
Over22million
5G Coverage
Access in815cities
5G Frequencies
3.7GHz 4.5GHz 28GHz
Max. Throughput
4.9Gbps 1.1Gbps
5G Base Stations type*Including those to be introduced
in the future
29types 8types
As of September 2023
Virtualization
OREX is now verifying a more open virtualized base station by utilizing know-how acquired in STEP 1.
The virtualized base station will separate hardware and software, allowing the latter to be installed in general-purpose hardware for network construction.
Virtualization will enable the diverse needs of global operators to be addressed flexibly. It also will allow RANs to be combined optimally to meet operator requirements for everything from installation to operation.
Intelligent RANs
OREX will analyze data from base stations and terminals to optimize RANs by automatically controlling base stations with AI and other tools for increasingly complex operations, resulting in further improvements in communication quality as well as lower operating costs.
