Telefonica Deutschland claims it has become the first German network operator with Open RAN in live operation on its mobile network. In a pilot phase with Japanese vendor NEC, Telefonica is converting three O2 mobile sites in Landsberg am Lech in Bavaria, and from autumn 2021 the company plans to roll out the new technology, which breaks up vendor dependency in the RAN, on a larger scale in the O2 network. According to Telefonica, Open RAN is more software-based, which will significantly simplify and accelerate base station upgrades, while less fixed infrastructure will need to be replaced or exchanged, as updating the software will largely suffice. All of Open RAN’s components will be modular and flexible, leading to cost savings of up to 30% in the RAN.
‘Our goal is to offer our customers the most technologically advanced and best network. With Open RAN, we are focusing on the future and are technological frontrunners in Germany,’ commented Markus Haas, CEO of Telefonica Deutschland, adding: ‘In addition, Open RAN offers us maximum flexibility in deployment and also in the subsequent replacement of system-critical components. On the basis of such technological approaches, we can secure and further accelerate digitisation in Germany.’