Open-RAN and Future Intelligent Networks.

As the pace of global 5G network deployments accelerates, the telecommunications industry strives to move from a conventional vertical stack, closed, hardware-based ecosystem to an open, interoperable, modular, cloud-based ecosystem that leverages software-based implementations of various network entities – including core network functions and base stations. Such an open ecosystem could facilitate the implementation of AI techniques and could be a critical advancement in realizing the vision of “zero-touch” wireless networks that support end-to-end automation– stretching from the core network to end-user devices. In this paper, we provide an overview of ongoing discussions along these lines in the context of the O-RAN Alliance along with a comprehensive discussion on various challenges. We then briefly present our vision of the evolution of intelligent networks beyond current 4G/5G networks.