The Evolution of Radio Access Networks: Disaggregation, Open RAN and 6G

Overview

The Radio Access Network (RAN) is a key component of mobile operators’ infrastructure, as it provides the coverage and capacity necessary for subscribers to access voice and data services.

Motivated by the convergence of several technical, commercial and geopolitical factors, mobile network operators have been investigating and supporting a shift towards the use of virtualisation, disaggregation and open interfaces in the RAN. The hope is that opening up proprietary elements and interfaces in the RAN will increase competition in the telecoms equipment market by encouraging new, innovative vendors to enter the market.

This course examines the issues around a shift towards an open and disaggregated RAN, looks at alliances and initiatives in the Open RAN movement and examines the impact that these industry headwinds will have on the development of the 6G standard.

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of open, virtualised and disaggregated RAN
• Understand the ramifications – in terms of standards, deployment, network management, security and use cases – of a move to towards Open RAN
• Become knowledgeable about the challenges associated with current open and virtualised approaches to the RAN
• Have insights into the geopolitical drivers for open interfaces and supply chain diversification in the mobile telecoms equipment market
• Understand the policy and regulatory enablers for these new approaches to the RAN

Course Enrolment Criteria

This course is open to:

• Regulators
• Policymakers
• Representatives from academia and international organisations working on regulatory or policy issues

We cannot accept applications from individuals working in the private sector or those not involved in policy or regulation.

Course Completion Certificates

All of our courses are certified by the UK Telecoms Academy (UKTA) and can be used as evidence of professional development.

To qualify for a course completion certificate, you must attend all the course sessions and fill out the course survey.

If you have any special needs regarding this training course, please us let us know via our contact form so we can get in touch to discuss how your needs can be met.