Page 44 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

ARTICLE SAMENA TRENDS

in making Open RAN more affordable and advantages and help in different stages
Open RAN, the RAN reliable, yet many operators are unclear on of network deployment starting with
Intelligent Controller (RIC), how best to proceed. preparation to rollout a network or a new
and automation offer an Growing competition will continue to put service, followed by creation to roll out the
prepared plan, then operate and monitor
important way to address pressure on operators to find new ways the network once it is rolled out. Finally,
these pain points by to drive revenue and profitability. New terminate to shutdown/scale down the
helping operators lower players are entering the telecom market, network or the service as required. This
very much aligns with the business needs-
particularly in the Internet of Things (IoT)
their CAPEX and OPEX and space telecommunications arenas. driven network deployment model.
while expanding services As new use cases such as autonomous Etisalat among the first to implement Open
vehicles, smart cities, and automated
into new markets, building factories emerge, mobile operators will RAN
their customer bases, need to support communication between Etisalat supports technology innovation
a million devices per square kilometer
and is often among the first mobile
and ensuring optimum (compared w/ 100k for 4G). MNOs will operators to test and implement new ideas
quality of service (QoS) for only be able to take advantage of these that can enhance its competitive strength
subscribers. opportunities if they can scale up their in the marketplace and deliver a better
customer experience. That is why Etisalat
networks affordably.
is supporting Open RAN testing and
For many, it’s time for a wholesale Open RAN, the RAN Intelligent Controller evaluation with the goal of implementing
reevaluation of the future of their networks, (RIC), and automation offer an important an Open RAN solution once all technical
especially in urban markets. The current way to address these pain points by aspects and conditions have been fulfilled.
high cost of hardware, software and helping operators lower their CAPEX and
services has made it difficult to build a OPEX while expanding services into new Etisalat supports tech-
business case for network expansion markets, building their customer bases,
into low average revenue per user (ARPU) and ensuring optimum quality of service nology innovation and
markets. (QoS) for subscribers. is often among the first

Bringing modern mobile communications With Open RAN and its inherent features of mobile operators to test
to less populated areas is a priority for virtualisation and implement new
many jurisdictions around the world. The RIC and the automation are absolutely
Access to high-speed Internet service is essential to ensure an Open RAN ideas that can enhance
essential to supporting public education, environment that delivers greater freedom its competitive strength
local business, healthcare access, of choice while keeping CAPEX and OPEX in the marketplace and
financial services access, and more. manageable for mobile operators. With the
However, building out networks in remote capabilities that Open RAN provides, mobile deliver a better customer
communities requires major CAPEX operators will gain the ability to fulfill the experience.
investments that offer little or no near- promise of new IoT and other emerging
term ROI. use cases in urban environments, expand
their networks into new territories to bring Etisalat Group, Saudi Telecom Company
Operators have advanced technology 5G within reach of underserved markets, STC, Zain Group, Mobily, and du, from
roadmaps and product capabilities but and the solid architectural foundation they Emirates Integrated Telecommunications
have not yet been able to leverage them need to plan effectively for the long term. Company (EITC), joined forces recently to
fully because the rest of the market have Above all, Open RAN will ensure that all push forward the implementation of Open
yet to catch up. The delay between making mobile residential and business customers RAN solutions in their existing telecom
technology investments and earning have access to the communications networks, share their industry knowledge
revenue from them has put pressure on solutions they need to improve and enrich and experience setting a clear path to drive
operators’ balance sheets. their daily lives. innovation for the ICT sector across the
Middle East.
There is not enough clarity on how best How automation and the RIC address
to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and operator challenges Mohamed Almarzooqi, Acting International
automation in network operation and Automated orchestration and management CTIO of Etisalat Group said: “With Open RAN
planning to reduce cost and enhance is key in order to achieve the benefits and its inherent features of virtualisation
availability. Vendors and Open RAN provided by a cloud-native Open RAN and automation Etisalat will be able to
advocacy groups are working to ensure solution. Automation with modern tools meet the needs of our customers cost-
that AI and automation will be major factors and technologies can bring in several effectively in central Asia and beyond. An

44 OCTOBER 2021