Open RAN

Deliver an open, agile, software-driven network that enables richer services, with greater flexibility at a lower cost.

Open RAN — a virtualized RAN on general-purpose hardware — replaces legacy, single-vendor RAN solutions with a stable, scalable and 5G ready architecture.

Our Open RAN blueprint, validated in WWT's Advanced Technology Center, is an end-to-end turnkey solution to accelerate time to revenue while providing a rapid upgrade path to deliver secure 4G/5G services.

Open RAN resources:

White paper

Accelerating Open RAN adoption: The role of the systems integrator.

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Guide

Nine steps operators can follow to deploy end-to-end Open RAN.

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Briefing

Leverage our blueprint for a disaggregated, fully open 4G/5G mobile network.

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Workshop

Identify use cases and create a roadmap to deploy and optimize Open RAN.

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Open RAN content

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Service Provider Mobility (4G/5G)

Watch: How Open RAN's Future-Proof Architecture Creates a Streamlined Path to 5G

In new Light Reading webinar, WWT's Greg Schoeny and Obi Egonu discuss how Open RAN can reduce costs and optimize performance while moving toward 5G.
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Service Provider Mobility (4G/5G)

6 Critical Questions to Answer Before Deploying Open RAN

There is no one-size-fits-all Open RAN deployment. We've developed a set of critical questions that must be answered before service providers go too deep down the complicated path of Open RAN.
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Service Provider Mobility (4G/5G)

FAQ: How Can Open RAN Drive Efficiency, Enable Agility and Enhance 5G Adoption?

How does Open RAN reduce operating expenses? Will Open RAN change the role of the network operator? Will Open RAN evolve into an as-a-service model? All these questions and more answered.

Open RAN Program Enablement

WWT's Open RAN program enablement utilizes our Digital Supply Chain model, which helps service providers accelerate time to revenue by validating complex, multi-vendor solutions with speed in our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), then integrating them at scale in one of our global integration facilities.

ATC Innovation Ecosystem

$500 million lab to design, build and validate Open RAN architectures.

Supply chain & integration

4 million square feet of logistics space spread over four continents to simplify Open RAN deployments.

Professional services

Portfolio of services to help drive Open RAN strategy from idea to outcome to post-deployment support.

Help along every step of the way

We are able to assist operators along every step of the process — from idea to outcome — to make it easier to consume and deploy Open RAN on any scale. 

This program is flexible and designed to meet the needs of service providers no matter where they are at in terms of a network transformation journey. We provide customized plans to make sure operators get to deployment as quickly as possible. 

WWT Open RAN services

 

Customized deployment models

Legacy RAN systems were handled by a baseband unit (BB) that is now virtualized to enable better scaling and resource pooling. Open RAN disaggregates the virtual BBU (vBBU) further into real-time, or Distributed Unit (vDU) and non-real-time, or Central Unit (vCU) functions. 

Typically, the vRAN software has very specific hardware requirements for the vDU component (real-time), which balance cost and performance. The vDU server nodes will have a configuration applied that allocates each CPU core carefully and will have specific hardware for offloading digital signal processing (DSP) functions.

This solution is ideal for areas that may have fiber transport to the sites and can meet the latency requirements to centralize the vDU. This model provides the best pooling gain and inter-site coordination capabilities for an operator. It allows cloud management and automation capabilities for ensuring cloud-scale deployments for customers.

High Density (Centralized vDU at Far Edge DC)
High Density (Centralized vDU at Far Edge DC)

 

This model uses a small-footprint server optimized for deployment to the tower. The server is expected to run a vDU in a compact form factor IP65 unit which can be deployed on a cell tower in an out door environment. This solution is idea for rural solutions where outdoor cabinets are not available or transport may not be easily accessible. Centralized cloud management and automation is available for operational efficiencies.

Deployment Model 2: Low Density at Tower
Deployment Model 2: Low Density (vDU at Cell Site)

The third model uses a high density x86 server and is configured to run the baseband for multiple RRU's at the tower site. The DU will support 12 sectors of RUs with multiple LTE bands, and is ideal for operators that may have multiple spectrum holdings. This configuration will also support LTE-advanced features like carrier-aggregation. Centralized cloud management and automation is available for operational efficiencies.

High Density (vDU at Cell Site)
High Density (vDU at Cell Site)
Ready to Begin Your Network Transformation? Get In Touch

Open RAN library:

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World Wide Technology Develops Blueprint to Accelerate Deployment of 4G/5G Open Virtualized RAN Solutions with Cisco and Altiostar Technology

Solution will enable service providers to accelerate their time to revenue when deploying fully-integrated open virtualized RAN solutions
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Open RAN Policy Coalition launches to 'spur competition' in 5G

The founding companies are: World Wide Technology, Airspan, Altiostar, AWS, AT&T, Cisco, CommScope, Dell, DISH Network, Facebook, Fujitsu, Google, IBM, Intel, Juniper Networks, Mavenir, Microsoft, NEC Corporation, NewEdge Signal Solutions, NTT, Oracle, Parallel Wireless, Qualcomm, Rakuten, Samsung Electronics America, Telefónica, US Ignite, Verizon, VMWare, Vodafone, and XCOM-Labs.
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Service Provider Mobility (4G/5G)

Open RAN Leverages Existing Infrastructure to Accelerate 5G Enablement

Open RAN solutions can utilize existing network infrastructure to enhance 4G while forging a straightforward path toward true 5G adoption.
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Service Provider Mobility (4G/5G)

Open RAN: A Journey Worth Taking

Open RAN promises to simplify the RAN, but only for those who understand the network and best practices. Systems integration, security, and validating new and emerging vendors will be key.

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