Can telecom operators achieve high-performance networks while also improving energy efficiency and ensuring seamless interoperability between multiple vendors? Open RAN (O-RAN) is proving that it’s possible. As more operators transition to O-RAN architectures, the focus is shifting toward optimizing performance, reducing power consumption, and enabling interoperability across diverse network components.
At a recent panel discussion, industry leaders explored how O-RAN innovations are enhancing network efficiency while driving sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Moderated by Abe Nejad, publisher at Network Media Group (NMG), the session featured experts from Samsung Networks, Vodafone, AMD, and Rakuten Symphony, who shared insights on overcoming technical and business challenges in O-RAN deployments.
Speakers:
Watch the full interview here.
The panel opened with a discussion on energy efficiency in O-RAN, which is a crucial topic as the telecom industry looks to reduce operational costs and carbon footprints. Experts emphasized that O-RAN’s ability to dynamically scale power usage based on network demand is a game-changer. Instead of running at full capacity 24/7, AI-driven power scaling allows networks to adjust energy consumption in real time, ensuring that power is allocated efficiently without impacting service quality.
A key takeaway was that traditional RAN architectures consume up to 80% of a network’s total power. O-RAN’s open architecture makes it possible to integrate renewable energy sources and apply AI-based predictive analytics to anticipate demand surges and optimize power usage accordingly. This combination is helping operators achieve double-digit energy savings while maintaining high-performance standards.
One of O-RAN’s biggest promises is vendor flexibility, but making different network components work together seamlessly is a complex challenge. The discussion highlighted that standardized interfaces and automation frameworks are essential for ensuring interoperability across multi-vendor solutions.
The panelists pointed out that while O-RAN Alliance specifications provide a framework, real-world deployments require rigorous integration processes. Without proper lifecycle management, new software releases or hardware updates from one vendor can introduce compatibility issues with other network components. Operators are addressing this by building continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, ensuring that testing, validation, and deployment are streamlined across vendors.
Beyond efficiency and interoperability, O-RAN is opening new monetization opportunities through AI-driven automation. The discussion covered how AI is transforming network performance optimization, predictive maintenance, and even energy-aware network slicing.
These advancements not only improve network efficiency but also enable telcos to offer premium AI-driven services, turning O-RAN into more than just a cost-saving initiative; rather it becomes a new revenue driver.
The panelists agreed that while O-RAN adoption is growing, scaling deployments to a commercial level requires overcoming several hurdles. Some of the key milestones discussed included:
The industry is moving in the right direction, but accelerating commercial-scale deployments will require continued investment in automation, AI, and ecosystem partnerships.
“AI is playing a big role in taking us a level further into energy efficiency algorithms.”
- Anshul Bhatt, Chief Product Officer, OSS BU, Rakuten Symphony
Stay tuned for more insights from industry leaders on the future of telecom and technology. Follow us for updates on upcoming discussions.
