As Open RAN (O-RAN) technologies continue to evolve, the APAC region is positioned at a pivotal crossroads in the telecom industry's shift toward more open, flexible, and cost-effective networks.
In an exclusive interview with iTNews Asia, Lee Ming Kai, Vice President of APAC Sales Engineering at Juniper Networks said the path to widespread Open RAN adoption will largely be determined by how regulatory environments evolve in individual markets.
In more developed markets like Japan, South Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia, Lee said the local regulatory support, along with government incentives and funding for trials, is creating a fertile environment for innovation.
Conversely, markets with more restrictive regulations around spectrum management or vendor access may slow down deployment, as operators face challenges in integrating diverse vendor technologies.
“While some regions have embraced policies that foster innovation and multi-vendor ecosystems, others still face significant regulatory barriers that could slow down progress,” he said.
The regulatory puzzle: Local policies critical to open RAN success
Lee emphasised that supportive policies have allowed for more rapid adoption. These regulatory frameworks often include measures like spectrum access, security standards, and government-backed trials, all of which have helped reduce the risk for operators in adopting new technologies.
However, not all APAC markets share the same regulatory enthusiasm. Lee pointed out that issues such as limited access to spectrum and vendor lock-in, along with regulatory hurdles around security and deployment standards, could slow adoption.
For operators, navigating these regulatory landscapes while ensuring compliance with local laws becomes a complex balancing act.
Vendor diversity: The power of open, multi-vendor ecosystems
Lee said, a major advantage of Open RAN is its ability to foster vendor diversity by breaking the traditional model of vendor lock-in.
“In the past, telecom operators were often tied to a single vendor for both hardware and software, limiting their ability to innovate and adjust to changing demands. Open RAN
eliminates that, allowing operators to mix and match solutions that best meet their needs,” he added.
The disaggregation of traditional RAN functions, including radio units (RUs), distributed units (DUs), and centralised units (CUs), offers operators greater flexibility. However, this shift also requires overcoming integration hurdles, ensuring smooth interoperability between equipment from multiple vendors.
The RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) plays a pivotal role in this transformation, which acts as an “app store” for base stations. These controllers allow operators to deploy third-party AI-powered applications (rApps and xApps) that enhance network efficiency and automate operations, ultimately reducing total cost of ownership.
Lee explained that the RIC’s ability to optimise functions like energy savings and traffic steering will be crucial for APAC operators, who are increasingly focused on improving both efficiency and sustainability.
“AI will be the backbone of automation, enabling operators to fine-tune their networks in real-time, reducing operational costs and improving service quality across the board,” he said.
He also highlighted that for smaller, regional players, Open RAN offers a level of affordability and scalability previously unavailable in the traditional closed-vendor models.
Open RAN’s disaggregated architecture also increases the complexity of securing virtualised network functions (VNFs). Its open interfaces make it susceptible to security vulnerabilities, particularly around the integration of third-party software and hardware.
Lee noted that protecting the virtualisation infrastructure is crucial, as it requires robust isolation and security mechanisms to safeguard components that come from multiple vendors.
“Seamless integration and interoperability are essential to avoid disruptions, while the expanded attack surface of open interfaces requires stringent security measures to mitigate risks,” he added.
The road ahead: Collaboration and standardisation are key
Looking ahead, Lee stressed that continued collaboration between operators, vendors, and regulatory bodies will be essential to the success of Open RAN. As more operators adopt Open RAN, standardised approaches to security, interoperability, and spectrum management will become increasingly important.
The real promise of Open RAN lies in its openness, but openness also brings new challenges. Ensuring that all components - whether from a single vendor or multiple sources- work seamlessly together requires ongoing collaboration and standardisation.
- Lee Ming Kai, Vice President of APAC Sales Engineering at Juniper Networks
Lee believes the future of Open RAN in APAC isn’t just about technology but about collaboration, smart regulation, and creating a path that’s open to everyone.
