The FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) into Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN), the “opportunities and potential challenges” open radio access networks present, and how the Commission can use those opportunities and challenges “to support network security and 5G leadership.” The FCC seeks comment on the present status of Open RAN deployment and development, both in the US and abroad; how the FCC might support Open RAN technology; how to support market competition in the Open RAN market; and the costs and benefits of Open RAN development and deployment.
The NOI seeks information on actions federal regulators, industry, academia, and others may take in possibly accelerating the Open RAN standard development timeline. The Commission asks about the role new and established manufacturers have in setting Open RAN standards, and on challenges in the “deployment, integration, and testing” of Open RAN-based systems. The FCC seeks input from industry, academia, and others on possible requirements to “deploy Open RAN networks broadly and at scale.”
