Orange says the combination introduces the ability to activate networks faster and delivers flexibility, optimization

Orange Spain has successfully tested a data connection using Open RAN equipment and a cloud-native Standalone (SA) 5G core network, a combination the carrier said introduces the ability to activate networks in less than an hour and delivers flexibility for traffic management and energy consumption optimization.

“Open RAN’s innovative approach aligns perfectly with Orange’s commitment to deliver cutting-edge solutions for the benefit of our customers,” commented Monica Sala, Network Director at Orange Spain. She added that not only does Open RAN drive “competition and innovation,” it also “significantly reduces operational and deployment costs through automation” and accelerate[s] the launch of new services ensures a dynamic network experience that quickly adapts to evolving customer needs.”

The trial was supported by vendors HPE, Casa Systems, Mavenir and Dell Technologies and used Orange’s experimental cloud-native SA 5G core network called Pikeo. Pikeo was announced in June 2021, and at MWC 2023, the company presented the results from the initial two-year trial. At the event in Barcelona, Laurent Leboucher, Orange group CTO and SVP Orange Innovation Networks, said: “The experience gained from the Pikeo project and the expertise of Orange teams will be leveraged in the new Mobile Private Network cloud experimental offer launched by Orange Business. As Orange seeks to fulfil its ambition to become the telecom reference for resilient, green, software and data-based networks, the results of this trial to date mark a major milestone in achieving this.”

Of the latest success, Orange’s Director of Engineering Alexis Salas stated that the pilot “not only allowed [Orange] to test the technology itself, but has also been an opportunity to identify the new skills required and define the new processes that this network transformation entails.”