2021 Showcase

2021 Open RAN Report

Our 2021 Open RAN report examines key infrastructure considerations for service providers, integrators and enterprises as they contemplate adoption of solutions based on Open RAN principles. We look at relevant trends, organizations and standards. and provide our views on Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Analysis by AvidThink

What the 2021 Open RAN report finds

Open RAN is disaggregating the mobile radio access network, opening it to a broader ecosystem of vendors, hyperscalers, and system integrators. Across these interviews, virtualization, cloud-native intelligent control via xApps and rApps, and reduced operational complexity emerge as the forces reshaping how 5G networks are built and operated.

  1. xApps and rApps add intelligence

    Capgemini casts xApps as operators' secret sauce for differentiation, and VMware introduces logical network elements on cloudified platforms for intelligent RAN control, new services, and slices.

  2. Complexity must come down

    Ericsson and HPE stress that slicing, disaggregation, and RAN virtualization add complexity, requiring intelligent automation and infrastructure that reduces operational burden for successful Open RAN deployments.

  3. Operators commit at scale

    Intel says every major operator has signaled intent to deploy open or virtual RAN, with Rakuten Symphony's Tareq Amin using Open RAN to disrupt Japan's mobile market.

  4. System integration ecosystem emerges

    IBM highlights an SI-based model accelerating adoption via open hybrid cloud on Red Hat, citing a Telecom Argentina O-RAN proof-of-concept that democratizes network deployment cost-effectively.

  5. Hyperscalers and edge use cases

    Marvell notes rising hyperscaler participation as networks virtualize, while Spirent sees early Open RAN focused on rural, indoor, and edge computing for hosting applications.

  6. Cloud enables new enterprise services

    Dish's Marc Rouanne ties Open RAN design to a cloud shift for observable, adaptive networks and enterprise services, with DZS framing it as a defining moment for wireless.

Download the full report →

Highlights from industry thought leaders

Video interviews

Aarna Networks and LF Networking

LFN's 5G Super Blueprint envisions an Edge Multi-Cluster Orchestrator

  • LF Networking and Aarna Networks discuss LF Networking's 5G Super Blueprint initiative.
  • Aarna Networks shares its involvement and future plans for Open RAN.
Full summary
In this video, Heather Kirksey, VP of Ecosystem and Community at LF Networking, and Amar Kapadia, Co-Founder and CEO at Aarna Networks, talks about LF Networking’s 5G Super Blueprint initiative. Amar discusses Aarna Networks’ involvement, his point of view, and future plans for Open RAN. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Capgemini Engineering

xApps will become the Secret Sauce for Mobile Operators

  • Capgemini Engineering calls xApps critical for operators to differentiate and add customer value.
  • It frames Open RAN and Virtual RAN as the most important innovation in today's mobile network.
Full summary
xApps are critical for mobile operators to differentiate themselves and add value for their customers. In this video, Shamik Mishra, CTO, Connectivity at Capgemini Engineering, discusses why Open RAN and Virtual RAN is the most important innovation in the mobile network today and how mobile operators can make the best use of Open RAN. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Dish

Open RAN Opens the Door for Advanced Enterprise Services

  • Dish's Marc Rouanne stresses observability for a learning, adapting, testing network.
  • Dish's Open RAN design and cloud shift are driven by the goal of providing enterprise services.
Full summary
If you want a network that is learning, adapting, and testing you need to observe. In this video, Marc Rouanne, EVP and Chief Network Officer at Dish, talks about the drivers that led to Dish’s decisions in their Open RAN design and their shift to the cloud to provide enterprise services. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
DZS

Will Open RAN be the Defining Moment for the Industry?

  • DZS's Charlie Vogt says Open RAN is changing how wireless networks are built.
  • Open RAN offers service providers a new way of deploying wireless services.
Full summary
Open RAN is changing how wireless networks are being built. In this video, Charlie Vogt, President and CEO at DZS, talks about what Open RAN has to offer service providers and how Open RAN is defining a new way of deploying wireless services. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Ericsson

Why Network Complexity requires a new Level of Intelligent Automation

  • Ericsson notes network slicing, disaggregation, and RAN virtualization add to service provider complexity.
  • That complexity calls for a new level of intelligent automation.
Full summary
Service Providers are challenged with complexity and technologies coming into deployment, such as network slicing, disaggregation, and virtualization of RAN infrastructure, only add to the challenge. Here is a perspective from Santiago Rodriguez, Head of Strategic Projects, Lead of Intelligent Automation Platform, at Ericsson.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Open RAN must Reduce Operational Complexity

  • HPE says 5G for enterprise requires redesigning the core and radio access networks.
  • Infrastructure matters in Open RAN, and HPE's approach helps telcos reduce operational complexity.
Full summary
5G will become for the enterprise what 4G was for the consumer. However, this requires a redesign of the core and radio access networks. In this video, Ignacio García-Carrillo, Telco Infrastructure Pre-Sales Leader at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, talks about why the infrastructure matters in an open RAN deployment and how Telcos can succeed in open RAN with HPE’s Open RAN infrastructure approach. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
IBM

How Open RAN Ecosystem Partnerships will lead to better Service Lifecycles

  • IBM says the emerging SI ecosystem will accelerate Open RAN adoption and innovation.
  • IBM focuses on three areas, including an open hybrid cloud architecture based on Red Hat.
Full summary
The SI ecosystem emerging with open RAN will accelerate adoption and innovation. Craig Wilson, VP Global Telecom Industry at IBM, talks about the early deployments of Open RAN, emergence of a system integration-based model, and the three areas IBM is focused on, including an open hybrid cloud architecture based on Red Hat. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
IBM

Telecom Argentina looks to O-RAN

  • IBM says O-RAN can democratize mobile networks, letting operators deploy infrastructure more cost-effectively.
  • IBM discusses key system integration capabilities and a Telecom Argentina O-RAN proof-of-concept.
Full summary
O-RAN has the potential to democratize mobile networks, allowing operators to deploy infrastructure much more cost-effectively. In this video, Marisa Viveros, VP Strategy and Solutions, Global Telecommunications, Media and Entertainment at IBM, talks about key system integration capabilities across the O-RAN ecosystem. She discusses Telecom Argentina’s proof-of-concept O-RAN project with IBM. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Intel

For O-RAN and V-RAN, We're ready to Deploy Commercially at Scale

  • Intel says operators are embracing open and virtual RAN to deploy 5G networks.
  • Intel discusses its RAN journey and what Open RAN offers operators.
Full summary
Operators are embracing open RAN and virtual RAN initiatives as a way to deploy 5G networks. Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President of Network Edge and General Manager of the Wireless Access Network Division at Intel, talks about Intel's RAN journey and what Open RAN can offer operators. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Intel

Programmability will Open the RAN to New Possibilities

  • Intel says Open RAN is about bringing multiple components together.
  • The innovation Open RAN brings supports a thriving ecosystem.
Full summary
Open RAN is about bringing multiple components together. In this video, Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President of Network Edge and General Manager of the Wireless Access Network Division at Intel, talks about the innovation Open RAN brings and the thriving ecosystem. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Intel

Major Operators signal their Intent to Adopt O-RAN

  • Intel says every major operator has signaled intent to deploy open or virtual RAN solutions.
  • Intel shares examples of major operators running trials or deployments.
Full summary
Every major operator has signaled their intent to deploy open RAN or virtual RAN solutions. In this video, Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President of Network Edge and General Manager of the Wireless Access Network Division at Intel, shares examples of major operators with trials or deployments. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Intel

The Open RAN Ecosystem will help extend 5G to Markets Worldwide

  • Intel says Open RAN brings the opportunity for more ecosystem participation.
  • Collaboration is important to advance the Open RAN journey and extend 5G worldwide.
Full summary
Open RAN brings the opportunity for more participation from the ecosystem. In this video, Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President of Network Edge and General Manager of the Wireless Access Network Division at Intel, talks about the objective of open RAN and the importance of collaboration to advance the journey. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Marvell

Radio Access Networks will Never be the Same

  • Marvell says Open RAN draws more hyperscaler interest as networks virtualize at the far and near edge.
  • Marvell discusses the opportunities and emerging market trends Open RAN offers.
Full summary
As networks become more virtualized, both at the far edge and near edge, Open RAN is drawing more interest and participation from hyperscalers. In this video, Raj Singh, EVP Processor Business Group at Marvell, discusses the opportunities Open RAN offers networks and the emerging trends in the market. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Rakuten Symphony

Disrupting the Structure of the Mobile Industry

  • Rakuten Symphony's Tareq Amin used Open RAN to disrupt Japan's mobile market.
  • Rakuten succeeded in building a leading network despite naysayers.
Full summary
How can a brand new network become the best network in Japan? In this video, Tareq Amin, CEO of Rakuten Symphony, discusses their success in the use of Open RAN to disrupt the mobile market and how they prevailed despite naysayers. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
Spirent

Early Open RAN focuses on Rural, Indoor and Edge Computing Use Cases

  • Spirent says customers are incorporating open compute capabilities to host edge applications in Open RAN.
  • Early Open RAN focuses on rural, indoor, and edge computing use cases along the roadmap.
Full summary
As customers look to deploy open RAN systems they’re thinking about incorporating open compute capabilities for hosting applications on the edge. In this video, Steve Douglas, Head of Market Strategy at Spirent, takes a look at the open RAN roadmap with attention to how service providers will utilize open RAN and the key technology capabilities that need to be brought into the system. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
VMware

Mobile Networks will be Transformed by xApps and rApps

  • VMware says Open RAN simplifies operations at scale, enabling new services, slices, and third-party features.
  • VMware introduces two new logical network elements on cloudified platforms for intelligent control.
Full summary
Open RAN simplifies the ability to do operations at scale. It allows operators to upgrade, manage, and deploy the network in a different way with opportunities to create new services, create new network slices, and open the RAN to third-party vendors for new features and capabilities. In this video, Rob Soni, Head of RAN Infrastructure at VMware, introduces two new logical network elements that can be deployed on cloudified platforms to do intelligent control and the opportunities these new elements offer operators. Download AvidThink's 2021 Open RAN Report to explore key infrastructure considerations for Open RAN and O-RAN adoption.
"Driven by ongoing disaggregation and open technology movements and spurred by geopolitical pressure, Open RAN has risen to the top in considerations for MNOs worldwide." - 2021 Open RAN Report
Download the Full Report

By opening this report, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.