Open RAN is broadly a Software enabled Network. Open RAN enables RAN flexibility and development velocity with simultaneous reduction in capital and operating expenses through the adoption of open-source software and continuous evolution through CI/CD. Virtualization decouples infrastructure and extracts required functions (such as CU and DU) virtually. Orchestration coordinates the lifecycle of virtual network functions to realize required service (e.g., slicing).

Cloudification is an integral part of Open RAN. Cloud platform enables convenient, on demand access to shared pool of configurable resources in the radio access network through virtualization in Open RAN. Cloudification can be done for CU, DU and near real time RIC nodes.

Software defined network (SDN) helps to enable traffic engineering for access networks.

Multi access edge computing (MEC) helps to move network resources and functions closer to the users and enable multiple emerging applications having stringent requirement of roundtrip time and processing of huge amount of data at edge.

Robust transport connectivity is prerequisite to connect disaggregated Open Radio access network.