Multi-Operator Radio Access Network Overview and Key Partnerships

A Multi-Operator Radio Access Network (MORAN) is a shared infrastructure that allows multiple mobile network operators to use the same radio access network. This setup can significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Several key players are involved in MORAN, including BT, Ericsson, and Nokia. These companies have formed partnerships to deliver this technology.

One of the main benefits of MORAN is the ability to share costs and resources, which can lead to significant cost savings.

MORAN is a multi-operator RAN configuration where multiple MNOs share radios, antennas, towers, and power, but each has dedicated baseband units (BBUs). This setup allows for a cost-effective option in O-RAN networks.

A key feature of MORAN is the 'shared O-RU' configuration, which is being standardized by the O-RAN Alliance working group four. This configuration provides full visibility and control of BBU equipment.

MORAN can be used with licensed spectrum for a public network or with Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum for private networks. In CBRS networks, MORAN can be deployed over general authorized access (GAA) channels or using priority access license (PAL) channels for dedicated bandwidth.

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MORAN deployment offers a way for multiple operators to share RAN equipment, reducing costs for BBU and fronthaul. This co-location model helps operators save money, but it still limits the visibility of the RAN network.

However, MORAN + BBU sharing increases the amount of RAN sharing only marginally. This means that while MORAN deployment can help reduce costs, it may not lead to significant improvements in RAN sharing.

To achieve more efficient RAN sharing, operators may need to consider alternative configurations, such as MOCN deployment. A MOCN gateway can securely and efficiently manage RAN connections and traffic to each MNO core network, siloing the RAN and making it more agnostic to core network changes.

However, MOCN deployment also poses challenges, particularly in terms of device readiness. Many 5G smartphones still don't fully support all private network CBRS capabilities, which can limit the adoption of MOCN in private 5G networks.

To overcome this challenge, the industry needs to develop logic for seamless handoff and consistent QoS between macro networks and neutral host networks. This will require the development of new technologies and standards that can support widespread MOCN adoption.

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Here are the three primary challenges to MOCN adoption in private 5G networks:

MORAN + BBU sharing increases RAN sharing marginally, but still limits RAN network visibility.

Co-location models like MORAN + BBU sharing can reduce BBU and fronthaul costs, making them a cost-effective option for operators.

This configuration helps reduce costs, but still requires each MNO to use its dedicated spectrum.

MORAN + BBU sharing is just one aspect of MORAN, which can provide a range of benefits for operators and users.

Here are some key benefits of MORAN:

MOCN neutral host networks, a type of MORAN, offer additional benefits, including regulatory compliance and improved QoS.

These networks can also provide cost-effective deployments and improved cross-campus connectivity and coverage, making them particularly effective for university and college campuses.

By supporting multiple MNOs, MOCN neutral host networks can provide reliable, cost-effective deployments without increasing an MNO's capital expenditure or operational expenditure.

MOCN neutral host networks also support first responders, warehouses, and transportation hubs, providing critical support for emergency services and seamless cellular connectivity.

A multi-operator RAN, or MORAN, allows multiple mobile network operators to share radios, antennas, towers, and power, but each has dedicated baseband units.

This configuration is a cost-effective option in O-RAN networks, thanks to a 'shared O-RU' feature that's being standardized by the O-RAN Alliance working group four.

MORAN can be used with licensed spectrum for public networks or with Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum for private networks, either over general authorized access (GAA) channels or using priority access license (PAL) channels for dedicated bandwidth.

With MORAN, each operator has full visibility and control of their BBU equipment, but changes to fronthaul switches are required to enable multiple interfaces.

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The MORAN solution is built on a strong foundation of innovation and flexibility. Tecore's mDU (multi-RAT Digital Unit) is a key component, designed for high performance and operational flexibility.

It's a multi-carrier digital baseband signal processing unit that simplifies installations while offering robust spectrum coverage across all cellular technologies in all licensed sub 3GHz bands. This means you can rely on it to support a wide range of applications.

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The mDU has a modular architecture on a virtualized platform, which makes it easy to upgrade with software updates remotely. This means you can leverage the same hardware supporting your network for continued future use, even as 3GPP standards continue to evolve.

With the mDU, you can rapidly deploy small cell networks and densify existing wireless coverage, especially in areas where network usage is at capacity. This is a game-changer for operators who need to supplement their existing networks with a green solution.

Neutral Host Networks offer a cost-effective solution for supplementing existing wireless coverage in areas where network usage is at capacity. By deploying a multi-carrier, multi-RAT single rack platform, operators can rapidly deploy small cell networks and densify their existing wireless coverage.

The mDU, a key component of Neutral Host Networks, provides the signal to strategically placed neutral-host radios that broadcast high-capacity bandwidth in geographic areas where additional network capacity is needed. This approach minimizes the footprint and cost requirements typically associated with traditional small cell networks.

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Neutral Host Networks can be used to support multiple operators, carriers, and radio access technologies, making them a versatile solution for various network needs. This is achieved through the use of a shared RAN infrastructure, which allows multiple operators to share resources while maintaining control over their dedicated baseband units (BBUs).

In a Neutral Host Network, the distribution and intermediate layers between the DAS headend and the MNO networks can be shared, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This is particularly beneficial for small venues or enterprise networks where coverage is more critical than capacity.

Here are some key features of Neutral Host Networks:

Neutral Host Networks can be a game-changer for operators and municipalities looking to supplement their existing networks with a green solution. By eliminating the large pole space and power requirements associated with traditional small cell networks, Neutral Host Networks can help reduce costs and minimize environmental impact.

A MORAN (Multi-Operator Radio Access Network) infrastructure allows multiple MNOs to share radios, antennas, towers, and power, but each has dedicated baseband units (BBUs).

This shared setup can be used with licensed spectrum for a public network or with Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum for private networks, either over general authorized access (GAA) channels or using priority access license (PAL) channels for dedicated bandwidth.

The O-RAN Alliance working group four is standardizing a 'shared O-RU' feature, which is a cost-effective option in O-RAN networks, allowing full visibility and control of BBU equipment but requiring changes to fronthaul switches to enable multiple interfaces.

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In-Building solutions with MORAN Infrastructure can be a game-changer for many reasons. Up to 90% reduction in head-end room size required means less space needed for equipment, which can be a huge advantage in crowded buildings.

This reduction in head-end room size also means that no additional electrical power or HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is required. Simplified installation and commissioning make the process much easier and faster.

One of the best benefits of In-Building solutions is the reduced power consumption, which leads to a greener solution with a reduced carbon footprint.

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MOCN is a type of infrastructure that allows multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) to share the same RAN (Radio Access Network) infrastructure, which can significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency.

This is achieved through the sharing of spectrum, allowing MNOs to pool their spectrum allocations for greater resource efficiency. A key difference between MOCN and MORAN is the sharing of spectrum.

MOCN neutral host networks support multiple MNOs on the same RAN infrastructure, enabling seamless connections for users from different carriers. These networks reliably and efficiently aggregate key performance indicators (KPIs), helping MNOs monitor and maintain quality of service (QoS) and service-level agreements (SLAs).

MOCN neutral host networks are generally cost-effective to install, integrate, and maintain, particularly for large campuses and multi-building deployments. They offer carrier cellular services for VoLTE, data connectivity, and critical safety features including E-911.

Some of the benefits of MOCN neutral host networks include:

MOCN neutral host networks with 5G CBRS-enabled radios are particularly effective for university and college campuses, where they can provide reliable, cost-effective deployments alongside improved cross-campus connectivity and coverage.

MORAN partnerships are on the rise, with KDDI and SoftBank teaming up with Ericsson to deploy a multi-operator radio access network for the first time in Japan.

This partnership allows service providers to keep their respective operations and management capabilities while bringing down costs and deploying infrastructure more quickly.

KDDI and SoftBank are leveraging Ericsson Radio System products, which include baseband, radio, and transport, along with spectrum sharing and Ericsson’s Uplink Booster.

The operators are focused on multi-band spectrum support, and Ericsson’s gear can handle network sharing for 4G LTE and 5G New Radio (NR), and on both TDD and FDD spectrum.

By working together, KDDI and SoftBank aim to provide 5G coverage to their customers across Japan with extraordinary speed.

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Neutral Host Providers play a crucial role in MORAN partnerships by supporting Multiple Operator Core Networks (MOCN), which allows multiple mobile network operators to share the same infrastructure. This enables efficient use of resources and reduces costs.

Neutral Host Providers also offer multi-PLMN support, which means they can handle multiple Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifiers. This is particularly useful in areas with high network usage, where multiple operators need to share the same infrastructure.

Here are some key features of Neutral Host Providers:

By supporting these features, Neutral Host Providers can help MORAN partnerships achieve greater efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

KDDI and SoftBank are partnering with Ericsson to deploy a multi-operator radio access network in Japan, a first for the country. This collaboration will help bring down costs and deploy infrastructure more quickly.

KDDI and SoftBank are leveraging Ericsson Radio System products, including baseband, radio, and transport, along with spectrum sharing and Ericsson's Uplink Booster. Ericsson's gear can handle network sharing for 4G LTE and 5G New Radio (NR), and on both TDD and FDD spectrum.

The partnership will enable faster 5G rollouts, with KDDI and SoftBank aiming to provide 5G coverage to their customers across Japan with extraordinary speed. This is a key factor in their success, according to SoftBank's Senior Vice President and CNO, Tomohiro Sekiwa.

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Ericsson's MORAN solution is a key part of this partnership, allowing service providers to keep their respective operations and management capabilities while sharing infrastructure. This will help build out more density, looking towards nationwide 5G deployment.

KDDI and SoftBank have already announced a joint venture to build out 5G in rural areas of Japan more quickly using shared infrastructure, and this partnership is a further step towards that goal.

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Smart SDS is a game-changer for multi-operator radio access networks. It allows for more efficient use of resources, but it's not a silver bullet - it still has its limitations.

One of the key benefits of Smart SDS is that it can help reduce costs by optimizing the use of RAN equipment. This is especially true for MORAN + BBU sharing, which can increase RAN sharing marginally.

However, even with Smart SDS, visibility into the RAN network is still limited. This is because each MNO still uses its dedicated spectrum, even when sharing RAN equipment.

In practical terms, this means that Smart SDS can help reduce costs, but it may not provide the level of network visibility that some operators need.

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