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The Ministry of Science and ICT held the inauguration ceremony for the Open-RAN Industry Alliance (ORIA) at the Business Support Hub of the 2nd-Pangyo on August 16. First launched in April 2023, ORIA’s operational direction and policy directions were announced at the ceremony, which included participants from mobile carriers, manufacturers, software businesses, companies related to Open Ran, and industry-academic experts.
According to a forecast by OMDIA, a technology analysis and consultancy firm, major countries like the U.S. and Japan are actively adopting Open RAN in their communication networks to diversify communication device providers. OMDIA expects the Open RAN market to grow five-fold from USD 1.2 billion in 2021 to USD 6.4 billion in 2026, fueled by increasing demand in developing countries.
In response to this rapid market growth, the Ministry of Science and ICT unveiled its ‘Policy Direction to Vitalize Open RAN.’ The policy aims to support the commercialization of relevant infrastructures at all stages, secure technology and competitiveness, and establish an industry-academic cooperation ecosystem.
A key focus of the policy is expanding opportunities for domestic companies to demonstrate and test their products by bringing foreign supplier equipment and devices to the Open RAN testbed in Pangyo and setting up the K-OTIC (Korean Open Testing and Integration Centers). These infrastructures will help domestic companies commercialize their Open RAN devices and enter global markets. To further demonstrate interoperability, an international event will be held biannually showcasing Open RAN devices developed by both domestic and foreign companies.
Main roles and functions of K-OTIC (the Korean Open Testing and Integration Centres)
The policy also aims to support domestic companies in securing competitiveness in key technologies in sync with the development of Open RAN. R&D efforts will focus on securing essential technologies for parts, equipment, and software needed in Open RAN. The ministry will actively promote international joint research with countries like the U.S. and the U.K. to develop both domestic and international standards.
R&D Promotion Direction by each stage of the Open RAN technology
The ministry seeks to uncover demands for Open RAN in domestic and international markets and expand it. An industrial ecosystem will be established to develop and advance Open RAN technology, where public and private sectors, as well as small-and-medium enterprises and large companies, cooperate. Existing Open RAN infrastructures and technologies will then lead the way in both domestic and international markets.
ORIA is supporting the government’s initiatives by creating a roadmap for Open RAN R&D development phases, securing technology competitiveness for domestic companies, and leading demonstration projects. The alliance is also actively promoting international cooperation for Open RAN technology and standards.
SK Telecom will chair ORIA, playing a leading role in the Open RAN ecosystem.
At the ceremony, Minister Lee Jong-ho visited the A.I. Network Lab, an Open RAN performance testbed run by the National Information Society Agency, and observed the base station equipment and learned about the role of the performance testbed and its future plan.
Minister Lee also visited booths, where he learned about collaboration cases between large and small-medium enterprises, such as the joint entry into the US market by Samsung Electronics and SOLid, Inc. and the interoperability test of Open-RAN equipment by Nokia and Samji Electronics. He observed commercialization plans and achievements of promising domestic small-medium and medium-sized enterprises in the Open-RAN market, including HFR, Innowireless, and FRTek.
Notably, the chairperson of the O-RAN Alliance, a non-profit organization in Germany that leads discussions on international Open RAN technology and standards, sent a congratulatory video message from Germany. The chairperson offered active cooperation for the development of Open RAN technology and standards.
Minister Lee stated, “We are in the midst of a fierce global competition for technology hegemony over a network, and Open RAN is considered a key factor for gaining an upper hand.” He also highlighted cooperation among public and private sectors, and large and medium-sized companies centered around ORIA. The Minister expressed hopes for expanded cooperation on cutting-edge technologies through international joint research and promoting international cooperation on Open RAN technology and standards.