In December 2023, a power-saving AI application was introduced by Fujitsu for Open RAN with Virtuora Service Management and Orchestration (SMO).

The application used AI technology for optimizing network capacity by switching it on or off as needed to reduce power consumption by over 20% compared to conventional methods.

What is Open RAN?

Open RAN (Radio Access Network), a new architecture for 5G and 4G wireless networks, allows multiple vendors to provide different components of the RAN rather than relying on a single vendor for the entire network.

Interoperability, flexibility, and innovation are promoted in the RAN ecosystem. The network operators are enabled by Open RAN to choose components from a variety of vendors, such as radio units, baseband units, and control planes, combined for a customized network.

What is Virtuora SMO?

A software-based management platform, known as Virtuora SMO, from Fujitsu provides a comprehensive management solution for open-RAN networks. The network operators are enabled to manage the open RAN networks in real-time, providing insights and analytics for optimizing network performance and reducing costs.

What are the benefits of AI Applications with Open RAN?

The benefits of AI applications with Open RAN:

• The network’s performance is improved by using AI in real-time to identify potential issues and predict outages to support network operators in taking proactive measures to prevent downtime.
• AI-powered intrusion detection with enhanced security also prevents systems from detecting and responding to security threats in real-time. The risk of data breaches is reduced, as is the risk of cyberattacks.
• Routine network management tasks can also be automated with AI, such as configuration and troubleshooting, freeing up network operators to focus on more strategic tasks.
• The user behavior can also be analyzed with a better user experience for optimizing network performance and providing a much better user experience.
• The network operators are also helped by AI to reduce costs by optimizing energy consumption, waste reduction, and resource allocation.

How AI is introduced in Open RAN?

The AI introduction in Open RAN is to address the growing demand for high-speed, low-latency networks to support a wide range of applications, such as 5G, IoT, and edge computing.

Open RAN with AI integration enables network operators to create more agile, flexible, and efficient networks to adapt to changing demands and business requirements.

How Fujitsu is benefiting?

Is there any way that Fujitsu is going to benefit from the introduction of Open RAN with AI?

As per reports, there are various ways for Fujitsu to get the benefits:

1. Revenue is increased by providing AI-powered management solutions for Open RAN networks, helping network operators reduce costs and improve network performance.
2. The competitive position is also improved with Fujitsu’s leadership in Open RAN with AI to enhance the competitive position in the market, while also supporting the company to differentiate itself from competitors to attract new customers.
3. The customer relationship is also enhanced at Fujitsu through a stronger relationship with AI-powered management solutions to improve network performance and reduce costs.
4. The innovation is increased to leverage its expertise in AI and Open RAN for innovating new products and services to help network operators stay ahead of the competition.

Case studies to benefits Open RAN with AI: –

1. Telefónica’s Open RAN Deployment uses an AI-powered management solution to optimize network performance and reduce costs.
2. Deutsche Telekon’s Open RAN Pilot also conducted a pilot deployment with the support of AI-powered management solutions from Fujitsu to improve network performance and reduce costs.
3. Vodafone’s Open RAN Trial uses AI-powered management solutions from Fujitsu to optimize network performance and reduce costs. 

Comparison with other Vendors: –

1. Huawei’s eRAN: A comprehensive management platform to provide network operators with real-time visibility and analytics. eRAN is also not specifically designed for open RAN networks, and its AI-powered capabilities are not as advanced as those of Virtuora SMO.
2. Ericsson’s RAN Intelligent Controller: A management platform to provide network operators with real-time visibility and analytics. The same level of AI-powered insights and automation capabilities are provided by Virtuora SMO.
3. ZTE’s Open RAN Management System: A comprehensive management platform that provides network operators with real-time visibility and analytics. The same level of AI-powered insights and automation capabilities are provided by Virtuora SMO.
4. Nokia’s Open RAN Management System: A platform providing network operators with real-time visibility and analytics. The same level of AI-powered insights and automation capabilities are provided by Virtuora SMO.

The introduction of Virtuora SMO by Fujitsu, a software-based management platform for Open RAN networks, helping the network operators to optimize network performance and reduce costs.

The Open RAN with AI is growing rapidly due to the increase demand for high-speed, low-latency networks to support a wide range of applications. Fujitsu is also well-positioned with its expertise in AI and Open RAN.

Sources:- Fujitsu, IoT NoW, Fujitsu Network Communications,