The advent of 5G introduced a new radio (NR) interface to cellular networks, through the 3GPP specifications. But the radio access network (RAN) is also being influenced and disrupted by other industry initiatives and trends. As well as the emergence of the virtualised RAN, we are now also seeing significant progress towards an Open RAN, breaking down the monolithic architecture of the RAN into more accessible and interoperable interfaces, benefitting operators through greater supplier choice, more innovation and hopefully lower costs. How the RAN will continue to evolve over the next few years, how operators and vendors will shape its development through standardisation and into commercial deployments, and how this will benefit operators and their customers.

DSP Executive Interview: Tareq Amin, Group CTO, Rakuten Mobile

Insights: 

• Geetha Ram, Global Head of Telco Solution Incubations, HPE
• Liam Madden, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Wired and Wireless Group at Xilinx
• Matt Conrod, Director of vRAN Business Development, Intel
• Ronen Shpirer, Director, Solutions Marketing, Fortinet
• Tom Bennett, Director, Technology Services, Solutions, Architecture, Devices and Labs, EE & BT
• Tom Walker, Manager, Consulting Systems Engineering - Telco & 5G, Fortinet

Roundtable: 5G RAN: From Virtual to Open

Are network operators ready to throw their budgets, strategies and futures behind virtualised, cloud-oriented and even open radio access network architectures?

• Arnaud Vamparys, Senior VP Radio Networks and 5G champion, Orange
• Geetha Ram, Global Head of Telco Solution Incubations, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
• José Antonio Aranda, Innovation and Product Strategy Director, Cellnex
• Matt Conrod, Director of vRAN Business Development, Intel Corporation
• Tom Walker, Manager, Consulting Systems Engineering - Telco & 5G, Fortinet

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