KT announced on the 7th that it has successfully verified the performance of a power-saving technology using wireless intelligent controllers in Open RAN environments. The Open RAN used in the tests was composed of various manufacturers’ equipment.
Open RAN is an open-access wireless network technology that builds base stations as hardware for transmitting and receiving radio waves, while implementing necessary communication services through software instead of dedicated equipment.
The technology verification was carried out at the Pangyo 5G Testbed Center operated by the National Information Society Agency (NIA). KT collaborated with Intel, Dell Technologies, CapGemini, and the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association to integrate virtualized base stations from various manufacturers and link them with wireless intelligent controllers.
During the testing process, KT reported a power consumption reduction effect of about 16% for base stations compared to the existing systems, utilizing the wireless intelligent controllers. KT showcased its power-saving technology for virtualized base stations as a leading participant in the global demonstration event ‘Plugfest Spring 2024’ organized by the international Open RAN standardization body, the O-RAN Alliance.
KT has been actively working to expand the Open RAN equipment ecosystem, including participating as a co-operating entity in the Korea OTIC (Open Testing and Integration Centres), which is a domestic Open RAN internationally accredited testing facility.
Meanwhile, based on this functional verification, KT plans to strengthen its cooperation with relevant agencies to expand the ecosystem of base station software manufacturers and enhance development capabilities. In particular, KT intends to work with the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association to introduce certified testing and certification procedures for wireless intelligent controllers.
Son Il-joo, head of the Testing and Certification Research Institute at the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association, stated, “As the main host of Korea OTIC, we are striving to establish and operate testing environments to validate and certify domestic Open RAN equipment,” and emphasized their commitment to contribute to the expansion of the domestic Open RAN ecosystem through standardized collaboration with KT.
Kwon Jong-sik, head of KT’s Network Research Institute, remarked, “Open RAN technology will be the foundation for the evolution of 5G Advanced standards as well as 6G open architectures,” and assured that KT will continue to actively collaborate with Korea OTIC to lead global Open RAN technology and expand the related ecosystem.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr