The O-RAN ALLIANCE has launched the second O-RAN Global PlugFest of 2024, bringing together 31 operators, vendors, and research institutions worldwide. The event, which runs from August to November 2024, focuses on advancing O-RAN technology through organized testing, integration, and certification processes. The PlugFest, held in 14 venues and 24 labs, provides participants with early insights into developing, deploying, and operating O-RAN-based solutions.
Key themes for the Fall 2024 PlugFest include energy efficiency testing, end-to-end deployment templates, open fronthaul testing, system testing with Layer 1 acceleration, white-box hardware diversity, and open fronthaul transport testing with multiple O-RUs. The results of these tests will be presented to the O-RAN community later this year, with a public announcement expected in late November. Previous PlugFests have proven essential in fast-tracking O-RAN products from specification to commercial availability.
Organizations participating as hosts include major telecom operators like AT&T, SoftBank, Vodafone, and NTT DOCOMO, along with key academic institutions such as Northeastern University and the University of New Hampshire. Brian Daly, Co-chair of O-RAN’s Technical Steering Committee, stated, “Achievements made at O-RAN PlugFests prove to efficiently support the industry in accelerating the move from specification to commercialization.”
Key Points:
- O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024 runs from August to November.
- Hosted in 14 venues and 24 labs globally by 31 operators and research institutions.
- Six focus areas, including energy efficiency and open fronthaul testing, drive innovation.
- Results will be publicly announced in late November 2024.
O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024 focuses on six themes prioritized within the O-RAN ALLIANCE:
- O-RAN Energy Consumption, Efficiency and Savings Testing – planned by nine PlugFest venues
- O-RAN E2E Deployment Templates, DevOps, and Test Automation – planned by eight PlugFest venues
- Demonstration of consistent and repeatable open fronthaul testing in multiple labs – planned by six PlugFest venues
- O-RAN System Testing with Layer 1 Acceleration – planned by six PlugFest venues
- O-RAN White-box Hardware diversity ecosystem – planned by two PlugFest venues
- Open Fronthaul Transport Testing with multiple O-RUs – planned by three PlugFest venues
“Achievements made at O-RAN PlugFests prove to efficiently support the industry in accelerating the move from specification to commercialization,” said Brian Daly, Co-chair of O-RAN Technical Steering Committee, and AVP, AT&T Services Inc. “High interest from the O-RAN community is promising to build on achievements in the PlugFest focus themes, which started in Spring this year.”
Hosts of O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2024 include:
AT&T, Auray Technology, CableLabs, CPQD, Digital Catapult, DISH, EURECOM, ETRI, i14y Lab (supported by Deutsche Telekom and EANTC), Iowa State University (ARA), KDDI, LG Uplus, NTT DOCOMO, North American OTIC in the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle Park Area (AERPAW), Northeastern University, Orange, Rakuten Mobile, ritt7layers, Rutgers University (COSMOS), Singapore Universityof Technology and Design (SUTD), SK Telecom, SoftBank, TELUS, TIM, TTA, University of New Hampshire (IOL), University of Utah(POWDER), Verizon, Vodafone, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, YRP R&D Promotion Committee.