Integration of 3rd party components with ONAP compliant SMO

Open RAN disaggregation enables network operators to source components and software solutions from a variety of 3rd party vendors, allowing for multi-vendor end-to-end network deployment. Many suppliers promote plug ‘n play standards-compliant solutions but, significant development and integration effort are required, impacting cost and time-to-market.

For one of the leading mobile network operator Groups globally and a long-term client of Aspire, our team successfully delivered the first stage of the project for HLD & integration of 3rd party nonRT-RICs with the client’s Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) compliant Service Management and Orchestration (SMO).

The project started with an understanding of 3rd party solutions in terms of maturity and ORAN / ONAP / 3GPP standards compliance in order to identify potential gaps and ensure full alignment with standards. The project continued with the integration, deployment, and testing of one specific supplier of rApps with non-RT RIC R1 interface and the validation of the PCI Optimisation rApp with the selected RAN supplier, ensuring end-to-end Configuration Management (CM) & Performance Management (PM) connectivity.

Based on achieved project deliverables, the client gained a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges of deploying a commercial grade end-to-end ORAN compliant multi-vendor network, as well as highly useful insights into 3rd party solutions and functionalities, enabling business decisions concerning in-house product development or 3rd party procurement.

We congratulate the members of both Aspire and operator teams on their joint achievements and wish them success in the next stage. This involves the integration of the multi-vendor solution with a 3GPP/O1 compliant RAN simulator, which will enable load & robustness testing of the rApps/RIC and the O1/CM/PM interfaces, with conditions similar to a “real” network.