Ericsson and AT&T accomplish first in industry by deploying a third-party rApp on a functional network
Breakthrough in Open Network Architectures: Ericsson and AT&T Deploy Third-Party rApp on Live Production Network
In a groundbreaking move, Ericsson and AT&T have successfully deployed a third-party RAN automation application (rApp) on AT&T's live production network. This milestone marks the first-ever live network deployment of a third-party rApp and signifies a significant leap towards open, automated, and programmable RAN architectures based on Open RAN standards.
The deployment took place in July, using Ericsson's Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) and the Open RAN R1 interface to optimize real-time RAN performance. This event validates open standards frameworks advocated by the Open RAN Alliance, enabling diverse vendors and developers to contribute innovation within a common platform.
The rApp, part of the EIAP ecosystem, operates atop Ericsson’s Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system. It uses network telemetry and policy-based rules to dynamically optimize radio access performance, pointing to an era of intelligent network automation with agility and efficiency gains.
Anders Vestergren, Head of Solution Area Network Management at Ericsson, described the event as a "watershed moment" and a "significant step towards a new era of network automation that is set to drive value and differentiation across the industry." He also mentioned that the milestone signifies tangible progress in open multi-vendor collaboration in telecoms and the use in production of the Open RAN interfaces.
The EIAP ecosystem, built around Ericsson's open network management and automation platform, supports all 4G and 5G Radio Access Networks (RAN). The rApp directory showcasing over 60 rApps is part of this ecosystem, playing a significant role in the future of commercial networks by embracing third-party innovation on the network and platform.
This achievement signifies a shift towards an open, future-proof architecture based on the standards and frameworks set out by the Open RAN Alliance. The change encourages innovation across a broader developer community and drives the industry towards a future with more open, multi-vendor, and multi-technology networks. The openness in the supply chain is a result of this evolution.
In summary, this deployment exemplifies practical progress towards the Open RAN vision—open, interoperable, and programmable RAN that encourages multi-vendor innovation and future-proofs networks against technological and supplier lock-in. It helps the industry move from isolated closed systems to a collaborative, software-enabled telecom environment aligned with the Open RAN Alliance’s goals. The EIAP ecosystem, with over 60 members across CSPs and third-party developers, is empowering developers with the capabilities needed to build, validate, share, and operate automation applications, paving the way for a more flexible and innovative network management system.
- This deployment of a third-party rApp on AT&T's live production network provides evidence of the gap closing between the telecoms industry and finance, as it signifies a significant investment in technology infrastructure and open network architectures.
- The successful integration of the rApp into Ericsson's Intelligent Automation Platform on top of Open RAN standards is a testament to the effectiveness of technology standards in promoting innovation, particularly in the development of apps within the telecoms industry.
- As the EIAP ecosystem supports all 4G and 5G Radio Access Networks, this achievement encourages collaboration between diverse vendors and developers in the finance sector, paving the way for the growth of the technology industry and promoting an open, multi-vendor, and multi-technology network environment.
