Open RAN platforms to support far edge AI inference

A key benefit of using general-purpose processors to implement open RAN/vRAN is that the same platforms can be used to support AI inference and other applications at the far edge of the network, such as cell site routers (CSRs) and content delivery and hosting. These edge platforms can be used to host virtualized applications closer to the user, offering significant benefits in terms of lower latency and shared infrastructure. To find out more about which applications service providers plan to support on shared far edge solutions and how they plan to deploy open RAN and vRAN platforms and architectures for 5G networks, Heavy Reading ran an exclusive survey of individuals working for operators with mobile network businesses. The results are presented in an analyst report, Open RAN Platforms and Architectures Operator Survey Report, that can be downloaded for free here. The survey presented options for five edge applications that can share server platforms with virtualized open RAN baseband implementations.