Open RAN

Open RAN (O-RAN) is a shift in mobile network architecture from a closed vendor environment to an open, intelligent, and programmable one. O-RAN enables vendors, service providers, and developers to deploy innovative services as radio access network (RAN) applications that take advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

Juniper has always advocated the importance of openness and interoperability in networking because it fosters innovation. Democratizing the RAN space matters because it gives service providers the freedom of choice to select best-of-breed vendors when designing and building their infrastructure. This helps to reduce costs; drives simplicity in design, build, and operation; and speeds deployment.

Open RAN diagram

Driving the O-RAN narrative in the industry

Juniper is an active proponent of O-RAN in several industry and standards organizations. We are contributing to 5 out of the 11 working groups in the O-RAN Alliance. Juniper is also the chair of the Network Slicing Task Group, co-chair of the Use Case Task Group, and editor and contributor to several specification documents.

How Juniper can help

Juniper offers O-RAN-compliant products and solutions across the entire network.

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Open and interoperable RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)

Juniper RIC brings intelligence and programmability to RAN by enabling third-party applications that can improve service experience, reduce costs, and deliver new business models. It is fully compliant with O-RAN specifications and interfaces to enable multivendor integration. It supports both an open API and an SDK for integration with any third-party O-RAN-compliant xApps or rApps.

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O-RAN Service Management and Orchestration (SMO)

Juniper O-RAN SMO orchestrates and automates resources end to end, across all clouds and data centers in an O-RAN network. The Juniper O-RAN SMO is architected for 5G network slicing, implementing the 3GPP-defined RAN Network Slice Subnet Management Function (RAN NSSMF). The Juniper SMO supports standard interfaces such as 3GPP, O-RAN, and TMF across the entire architecture.

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Low-latency O-RAN fronthaul

O-RAN fronthaul connections require very low end-to-end latency and jitter. Juniper Networks ACX Series of routers support IEEE 802.1 Time-Sensitive Networking Profile A for prioritized enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI) or Precision Time Protocol (PTP) packets, Class D timing, and transport features such as segment routing, SRv6, and Ethernet VPN (EVPN). 

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O-RAN security

O-RAN requires protection of the virtualization infrastructure. Also, encrypted communication between O-RAN network functions makes it harder and expensive to detect threats. Juniper vSRX Virtual Firewall and cSRX Container Firewall enable microsegmentation to prevent lateral threat movement. Juniper’s Encrypted Traffic Insights detects threats effectively without the need for decryption.

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Open ecosystem

Juniper is working across the community—platform providers, equipment vendors, application vendors, and system integrators—to deliver O-RAN. Juniper RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) Partner Program helps third-party developers create and deploy innovative applications on the Juniper RIC platform.

Related Solutions

5G Networks

Juniper’s open ecosystem approach to 5G unlocks the full power and potential of your network. We can help you reimagine your architecture, operations, and service experience to create new business value and compete in the coming decade.

Data Center Networks

Simplify operations and assure reliability with the modern, automated data center. Juniper helps you automate and continuously validate the entire network lifecycle to ease design, deployment, and operations.

Service Provider Security

Juniper Connected Security safeguards users, data, and infrastructure by extending threat intelligence to all connection points across your network.

Segment Routing

Our source-based routing solution provides greater control, agility, and application awareness to simplify traffic engineering and management across network domains.

Resource center

Best Network Software Breakthrough

Juniper RIC won the GLOMO (Global Mobile) award at MWC 2023 in the “Best Network Software Breakthrough” category in partnership with Rakuten Symphony.

Best Automation Solution in O-RAN

Juniper RIC won the Open RAN World Award at Open RAN World 2023, Berlin in the “Best Automation Solution for Open RAN” category.

Open RAN FAQs

What is Open RAN?

Open RAN is an ongoing shift in mobile network architectures that enables service providers the use of non-proprietary subcomponents from a variety of vendors. An Open RAN, or open radio access network, is made possible by a set of industry-wide standards that telecom suppliers can follow when producing related equipment. Open RAN enables programmable, intelligent, disaggregated, virtualized, and interoperable functions. Specifically, the proprietary remote radio head (RRH) and baseband units (BBUs) are now disaggregated to radio units (RUs), distributed units (DUs), and centralized units (CUs), which can be virtualized or containerized. The interfaces between these new components are open and interoperable.

The O-RAN Alliance defines the specifications for all Open RAN components and the interfaces between them. Founded in 2018, the O-RAN Alliance is a progressive, global community comprising mobile network operators, manufacturers, vendors, and research and academic organizations working in telecommunications spaces all over the world.

What Open RAN technology, solutions, and products does Juniper offer?

Juniper offers the following Open RAN products and solutions:

Juniper RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC): Brings intelligence and programmability to the radio access network (RAN). It supports third-party applications that can improve service experience, reduce infrastructure and operational costs, and deliver new business models. The Juniper RIC platform is fully compliant with O-RAN Alliance specifications and interfaces.

Juniper O-RAN Service Management and Orchestration (SMO): Orchestrates and automates resources end to end, across all clouds and data centers in an Open RAN network. The Juniper O-RAN SMO is architected for 5G network slicing, implementing the 3GPP-defined RAN Network Slice Subnet Management Function (RAN NSSMF).

Juniper ACX Low-latency O-RAN fronthaul:  Requires very low latency and jitter. Juniper ACX family of routers support IEEE 802.1 Time-Sensitive Networking Profile A for prioritized enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI) or Precision Time Protocol (PTP) packets, Class D timing, and transport features such as segment routing, SRv6, and Ethernet VPN (EVPN). 

Juniper O-RAN Security: Open RAN introduces new network functions with open interfaces between them that need to be secured. Juniper Service Provider Security solutions such as xSRX/cSRX enable microsegmentation to prevent lateral movement. Juniper’s Encrypted Traffic Insights allow customers to detect threats effectively without the need for decryption.

Who should use the Juniper Open RAN products and solutions?

Juniper Open RAN solutions are relevant for all service providers planning to deploy Open RAN technology in their networks. The solutions are also relevant to enterprises choosing Open RAN-compliant radio networks for their private mobile network deployments.