1、 2022Whats next for RAN?Cloud RAN innovation and purpose-built evolutionThis paper aims to guide communication service providers(CSPs)interested in cloud network transformation on how to evolve their networks stepwise and cost effectively into Cloud RAN,while continuing to leverage purpose-built har

2、dware and the installed base.CSPs transformation to the cloud started in the IT domain,continued with Core network functionality,and is now taking the next step into the RAN.By using cloud technologies in the RAN,the Cloud RAN,CSPs can achieve“cloud economics”,create common and unified network opera

3、tions across all network domains and enable new offerings targeting enterprises and industries.Cloud economics means flexibility in deployment options and the possibility to create benefits of scale by using common,shared infrastructure across different network domains.With Cloud RAN,CSPs can manage

4、 the RAN following cloud-native principles,just as the cloud frontrunners have already started doing within their Core and IT domain.This brings a common and unified operational model,creating efficiencies and the ability to manage network complexity while leveraging processes and tools from the wid

5、er IT and cloud domains.This reflects the appeal for the change and the benefits the IT industry is realizing fast pace,innovation and flexibility.In addition,Cloud RAN will be attractive for enterprise deployments of 5G,with the potential to share on-premises network and server infrastructure with

6、the core network and enterprise applications.Additionally,the adoption of Cloud RAN provides the option of leveraging the wider public and large scale hyperscaler cloud providers as a potential for increased business flexibility,either for temporary network expansions or as a longer term option to a