Across APAC, Open RAN is gaining momentum as operators seek flexibility, scale, and cost efficiency. In a recent session moderated by Abe Nejad of The Network Media Group (NMG) industry leaders examined how AI accelerates Open RAN deployment, optimization, and lifecycle management, while cloud-native architectures provide the agility to meet dynamic network demands across greenfield and brownfield environments.
Speakers:
Watch the full interview.
The session positioned AI as the automation engine for Open RAN: tuning vast parameter sets, spotting performance drift, and driving intent-based actions that speed up mass rollouts. Cloud-native foundations – containerized workloads, microservices, and CI/CD – enable lean, highly automated operations with minimal manual touch, turning Open RAN from project to platform.
Brownfield reality took center stage. Unlike green fields, incumbent networks must reconcile multi-generation, multi-vendor stacks, shifting from hardware-centric practices to software-first engineering and building carrier-grade edge/cloud infrastructure that can meet strict real-time RAN constraints. The leaders underscored that success requires both skills transformation (network engineers becoming software/automation owners) and production-grade cloud at scale.
Interoperability remains the persistent challenge. Disaggregation moves integration and reliability trade-offs to the operator domain. Standards bodies (e.g., 3GPP, O-RAN Alliance, ETSI NFV) are vital for common data models and interfaces; at the same time, a new wave of Kubernetes-native disruptors – rApps/xApps, declarative automation, GitOps/CD pipelines – offer speed and fresh value but can fragment architectures if adopted ad hoc. The pragmatic path is balance: anchor on open standards, selectively incubate startup innovations, and avoid recreating silos.
The business case strengthens as networks become SLA-driven and slice-aware. With cloud-native Open RAN and AI, operators can dimension and assure specific segments end-to-end, improving cost efficiency and enabling new offers. Vendors were urged to act as consultative partners, helping operators “see through the fog,” evaluate emerging solutions, and scale what works – without compromising long-term stability.
“We deployed something that works – very lean, with minimal manual intervention and high automation. The enabler of this success is Open RAN, cloud-native architecture – and now AI, which is the immediate next stage.”
