This week’s RIC Forum event in Dallas, Texas will showcase the state of radio access network intelligent controllers and their related applications, including live streaming demonstrations from the field of dynamic network changes triggered by RIC apps at real sites. It’s a showcase.
The event is hosted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Telecommunications Science Institute in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense’s FutureG Office. Prior to the event, RCR Wireless News asked Dr. Tom Rondeau, principal director of the FutureG office, for his perspective on the state of open RAN and 5G as it relates to the Department of Defense. His Q&A below was conducted via email and has been lightly edited.
FutureG Office held a 5G Challenge during 2023 and announced the winners late last year. How has this program evolved Open RAN and what do you think were the highlights?
The 2023 FutureG Office 5G Challenge not only significantly advanced the development and deployment of open RAN within the DoD ecosystem, but also demonstrated its feasibility. By bringing industry and academia together through this challenge, the program facilitated the acceleration of Open RAN technology and fostered innovation and competition. Highlights of the program include demonstrating cross-vendor interoperability, increased flexibility, and potential cost savings associated with open RAN architectures. Diversity within the open RAN ecosystem is increasing, driving market diversification and fostering innovation. The FutureG office is proud to have been a major early contributor to this conversation.
One of the stated objectives of the 5G Challenge was to establish “deployment readiness” for Open RAN. In your view, is O-RAN really ready for deployment? If not, what are the gaps that still need to be addressed?
Yes, as we demonstrated in our work at Camp Pendleton, we designed and developed a private, standalone, multi-band, 5G open RAN testbed that allowed us to deploy open RAN in operational scenarios. However, there are many use cases that require further development. Although great strides have been made in the advancement of Open RAN, it may not yet be ready for full deployment in all operational scenarios within the Department of Defense. In particular, gaps remain in ensuring robustness, security, and interoperability across diverse environments and mission-critical applications. Further research and development efforts are needed to address these challenges and validate the scalability and reliability of Open RAN solutions.
What role do you think 5G will play in base modernization efforts over the next few years?
5G technology is poised to play a pivotal role in base modernization efforts within the Department of Defense in the coming years. High-speed, low-latency connectivity enables a variety of innovative applications, including enhanced situational awareness, autonomous systems, and augmented reality for training and operations. Additionally, the 5G network will support a large number of IoT devices and sensors, facilitating smarter and more efficient base operations and logistics. The FutureG office is actively working to support the Department of Defense CIO in his 5G modernization efforts for military installations. While 5G plays an important role in military modernization, we recognize that a new generation of wireless cellular technology emerges approximately every 10 years. It is essential to keep up with each new iteration. We need to be able to proactively deploy these advances as they become available. This proactive attitude is one of the important missions of the FutureG Secretariat.
The Department of Defense has announced numerous partnerships with mobile network operators for 5G coverage at specific locations, bases, test facilities, and/or private networks. To what extent does the Department of Defense expect to utilize commercial 5G networks versus its own private 5G networks, or possibly network slices? What considerations go into such a decision?
As the industry invests heavily in commercial 5G networks and increases the focus on security, our ability to leverage these networks becomes increasingly attractive. However, it is important to recognize that meeting the Department of Defense’s unique warfighting concepts, especially those that go beyond what public networks can provide, is central to the FutureG office’s mission. Remote locations outside the continental United States require solutions beyond the capabilities of commercial networks, increasing the need for private network options. That’s why we actively research and develop solutions tailored to these Department of Defense-specific requirements.
Additionally, security standards face potential weakening from the accumulation of standards bodies by peer adversaries, making it essential to work with mobile network operators to develop optional security features. Masu. These capabilities must be balanced between cost-effectiveness and meeting the Department of Defense’s stringent security needs. In this regard, FutureG Office is at the forefront, ensuring network deployments that prioritize security without compromising operational efficiency.
Demand for spectrum from commercial users such as terrestrial MNOs, space-based, and transportation systems seems insatiable, with most recent spectrum reallocations coming from the Department of Defense (3.45 GH, CBRS), with more on the way. Research in progress. The Pentagon’s CIO says sharing is the way forward because migrating existing systems is time-consuming and expensive, and the Biden administration’s National Spectrum Strategy calls for a “share where feasible” approach. We are hiring. What role will the FutureG & 5G Office play in the Department of Defense discussions on spectrum and spectrum sharing? Have you seen any technological approaches or developments that make you think?
The real challenge lies in the fact that not all spectrum sharing solutions are the same. The physics of radio waves in different frequency bands and the behavior of the platforms we utilize vary widely, requiring continued research efforts. The FutureG office will play a key role in addressing these challenges by spearheading continued research into spectrum sharing mechanisms, particularly in exploring technological approaches that promote efficient spectrum utilization while reducing interference risks. I am fulfilling my role. Promising developments include dynamic spectrum sharing technologies, cognitive radio technologies, and advanced spectrum management frameworks that enable real-time adaptation to changing spectrum environments while protecting mission-critical communications. By staying at the forefront of spectrum management innovation, we aim to ensure optimal utilization of spectrum resources and support the evolving needs of Department of Defense missions.
The FutureG and 5G stations are focused in part on what technologies and strategies can help the United States gain “long-term economic, military, and security advantages.” What role do you think 5G, Open RAN, and other cellular technologies will play in that vision?
Beyond mere connectivity, 5G, open RAN, and other cellular technologies have the potential to accelerate innovation cycles, inject new ideas, and create value that doesn’t currently exist. These technologies enhance connectivity, mobility, and information sharing, giving the military real-time situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and seamless interoperability. It is important to recognize that the Department of Defense has unique operational needs that require fine-grained control over these technologies. While embracing innovation, we must ensure that these advances align with and address the specific requirements and challenges facing the Department of Defense. The FutureG office leverages these technologies to improve long-term economic, military, and security benefits for the United States and its allies by balancing fostering innovation with maintaining control over critical operations. We aim to secure your benefits.
