Driving Operator Success

Why It Matters

The updates signal Open RAN is transitioning from niche trials to commercially viable, multivendor networks that can cut vendor lock-in and enable faster innovation through software-driven automation and AI. Wider operator adoption and working SMOs/RICs could reshape vendor dynamics, reduce costs, and accelerate feature rollout across 4G/5G networks.

Summary

Speakers at the Open RAN-focused panel detailed rapid commercial progress and operator deployments that are moving the technology from experiment to scale. Rakuten Mobile said its cloud-native, multi-vendor Open RAN has grown to roughly 350,000 sites, 10+ million subscribers and achieved annual operating profitability within five years of launch. AT&T reported a step-change in execution: production deployments of Open Fronthaul-compliant radios, a scaling SMO, cloud RAN and an operational RAN Intelligent Controller being used to deploy AI/ML optimization and energy-efficiency algorithms. Vendor representatives from Nokia and Samsung joined operators to underscore interoperability and ecosystem momentum for multivendor 4G/5G radio and virtualized RAN elements.

Original Description

Driving operator success: Optimising cost efficiency, tailoring networks to business models, and powering innovation

Operators shared their experiences with implementing Open RAN in live networks and the value they derived. They were joined by vendors who highlighted a diverse range of innovative solutions and expertise aimed at accelerating the deployment of open and intelligent RAN.

Moderator: Gabriel Brown, Senior Principal Analyst, Mobile Networks, Omdia

Featuring:

Rob Soni, VP RAN Technology, AT&T

Ari Kynäslahti, SVP and Mobile Networks CTO, Nokia Mobile Infrastructure

Sadayuki Abeta, Chief Open RAN Strategist, NTT DOCOMO, and CTO, OREX SAI

Sudhakar Pandey, Head of RAN, Rakuten Mobile

Henrik Jansson, VP and Head of North America Business Development, Networks Business, Samsung Networks

First broadcast: March 2026

#TelecomTV #ORANALLIANCE #RAN #mwc26 #SpotlightOn5G #AI