O-RAN ALLIANCE announces Release 002 focus on enabling Open Intelligence

In 2021, O-RAN ALLIANCE introduced a new initiative describing how its specifications combine to form the first Release of O-RAN Minimum Viable Plan. This plan delivers the specifications needed by the open RAN ecosystem to create products that meet the highest priority needs of operators.

O-RAN Release 001 focused on creating Open Interfaces that include Open Fronthaul, transport, hardware and cloud.

The new O-RAN Release 002 focuses on enabling Open Intelligence. Features in Release 002 include specifications for Traffic Steering, Quality of Service and Quality of Experience Optimization, RAN Slicing, and Service Management and Orchestration.

40 O-RAN specifications published since November 2021
O-RAN ALLIANCE has released another set of technical specifications for open and intelligent RAN. 4 new specification titles comprise:

• O-RAN R1 interface: General Aspects and Principles v1.0
• O-RAN A1 interface: Test Specification v1.0
• O-RAN Acceleration Abstraction Layer High-PHY Profiles v1.0
• O-RAN Security Tests Specifications v1.0

Another 36 technical documents have been updated with extensions and new features. To learn more about the new and updated specifications, please read our web announcement. To access the O-RAN specifications, please visit our website.

Two O-RAN Global PlugFests planned in 2022
Building on the successful O-RAN Global PlugFest 2021, the O-RAN ALLIANCE plans to organize two global PlugFests in 2022 for its member companies and institutions. Offering two PlugFests will better accommodate the expanding work on integration and commercialization of the O-RAN solutions.

First O-RAN specification submitted to become ETSI Publicly Available Specification (PAS)
Throughout 2021, the O-RAN ALLIANCE extended its interactions with other industry bodies and standards development organizations. As one example, first O-RAN specification – the O-RAN Fronthaul Control, User and Synchronization Plane Specification – has been submitted for potential adoption by the ETSI Technical Committee Mobile Standards Group through the ETSI PAS process. Additional O-RAN specifications are being planned for future submissions to the ETSI PAS process.

CT Bureau