The O-RAN ALLIANCE has concluded its ninth PlugFest, the O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024, highlighting significant progress in the development and integration of open and intelligent RAN solutions. Held from August to November 2024, the event spanned 28 labs across Asia, Europe, and North America, co-hosted by 29 operators, Open Testing and Integration Centers (OTICs), and academic institutions. A total of 115 companies and organizations participated, some contributing at multiple venues.
Key advancements showcased during the PlugFest included performance enhancements for interoperable RAN, energy savings measured using ETSI standards, and the implementation of RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) for improved network management. Test automation, open-source software integration, and service orchestration for public safety applications were also key areas of focus. The results will be featured in the upcoming O-RAN PlugFest Virtual Showcase in early 2025.
• Performance improvements in open and interoperable RAN leveraging Near-Real-Time and Non-Real-Time RICs
• Energy efficiency benchmarks using ETSI test specifications
• Deployment of multi-operator Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) for public safety and peacekeeping
• Adoption of point-to-multipoint Open Fronthaul transport to lower power consumption
• Expanded conformance and interoperability testing of O-RAN-based products
“PlugFests are pivotal for advancing O-RAN-based technologies. Each event brings more complex and valuable solutions for network deployments,” said Chih-Lin I, Co-chair of O-RAN ALLIANCE’s Technical Steering Committee and Chief Scientist at China Mobile Research Institute.
