Global Race to Lead 'Open RAN'... Public-Private One Team Launched

'Open RAN Industry Alliance' Launch
Core of Global Technology Hegemony... 8 Trillion Market by 2026

The government, the three major mobile carriers, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and other key companies are joining forces to create an Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) ecosystem. They plan to establish a commercialization foundation by creating an authentication system, secure technology standards, and gain leadership in global competition through public-private cooperation.

On the 16th, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the launch ceremony of the 'Open RAN Industry Alliance (ORIA)' at the Pangyo 2nd Techno Valley Enterprise Support Hub and announced the policy direction for Open RAN promotion.

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT (third from the left in the first row) is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the 'Open RAN Industry Alliance Launch Ceremony' held on the afternoon of the 16th at the Pangyo 2nd Techno Valley Corporate Support Hub in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT]

Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, stated, "To secure a leading position in the global Open RAN market, cooperation among various companies including telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, and software companies is essential, not only in Open RAN hardware and software technology." He added, "The government will also support strengthening corporate capabilities by expanding opportunities for core technology R&D, testing, and demonstration to secure market leadership. We will also expand overseas entry opportunities through global cooperation such as joint research and demonstration projects with major countries including the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom."

Open RAN is a technology that allows wireless devices and base station equipment, including hardware and software, which previously used equipment from a single vendor, to be interoperable with products from multiple manufacturers. While the existing environment was dependent on equipment from specific manufacturers, adopting Open RAN technology enables interworking among various manufacturers' products, improving network management efficiency and reducing deployment costs through competition among suppliers. It is also closely related to the global technology hegemony competition. According to market research firm Dell'Oro, last year, Chinese manufacturers Huawei and ZTE held market shares of 28% and 11%, respectively, in the global telecommunications equipment market. Fifty telecom operators from 33 countries, including the United States and Japan, have identified Open RAN as a core technology and are rapidly adopting it. With additional demand from developing countries in the future, the market is expected to grow rapidly. Market research firm Omdia forecasts that the Open RAN market will grow more than fivefold from $1.2 billion (approximately 1.6064 trillion KRW) in 2021 to $6.4 billion (approximately 8.5645 trillion KRW) in 2026.

Accordingly, the three mobile carriers, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and 29 other companies and institutions have established a public-private consultative body to develop domestic Open RAN technologies and products and create a global ecosystem. SK Telecom will serve as the first chairperson of ORIA.

The Ministry of Science and ICT previously announced the Open RAN-based network innovation plan through the K-Network 2030 strategy. With the launch of ORIA, it plans to implement the 'Open RAN Activation Policy Promotion Plan,' which focuses on ▲building infrastructure to support full-cycle commercialization ▲securing technology and standard competitiveness ▲creating a public-private cooperation-based ecosystem. First, global manufacturers' equipment will be introduced to the Open RAN testbed established in Pangyo to expand testing and demonstration opportunities for domestic companies, and an international certification system for Open RAN equipment (K-OTIC) will be established. To enable domestic companies to secure core technology competitiveness, key technologies such as components, equipment, and software will be secured, and research for domestic and international standard development as well as international joint research will be promoted. Additionally, through the public-private consultative body ORIA, technology advancement will be encouraged, and a focal point will be established to lead the discovery and expansion of domestic and international Open RAN demand.

At the Pangyo Enterprise Support Hub, where the event was held, the 'Open RAN Testbed (AI Network Lab)' has been established. A testbed based on foreign Fujitsu and domestic SOLID equipment has been built and linked with Samsung Electronics' core system. In the future, global vendor equipment will be introduced to expand opportunities for domestic SMEs to verify interoperability and operational reliability. Furthermore, successful cases of Open RAN standard-based interworking between large and small enterprise equipment were exhibited to showcase technology development achievements and cooperation plans.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.