Featuring: Robert Schmidt, OpenAirInterface (OAI)
Event: O-RAN ALLIANCE Meeting, Paris – March 2025
What does the future of 5G really look like? Robert Schmidt from OAI gave us a glimpse—with a live demo that brought together high-speed connectivity, smart automation, and hardware working seamlessly together.
What Was Shown?
A fully disaggregated 5G base station (gNB) setup achieving ~1 Gbps download speeds. The components were built from open-source software and industry-standard interfaces, using two connected servers and a radio unit (RU). No proprietary software stack, no mystery boxes—just powerful, flexible tech.
Robert showed how:
- The O-RAN 7.2 interface enables communication between components (handling data, control, sync, and now management!).
- The system automatically configures the radio (RU)—no need for manual setup thanks to “M-Plane” automation.
- Switching from 100 MHz to 40 MHz bandwidth in real-time was as simple as flipping a switch—and the system adjusted instantly.
- The test used an AMD T2 accelerator card to handle intensive signal processing.
Why This Matters
Think of a city that wants to expand 5G coverage quickly. Instead of sending teams out to configure radios one by one, they can ship pre-configured units that “phone home” and get ready to go in minutes. This demo showed that vision is already possible.
Real-World Use Cases
- Telecom Operators: Faster, cheaper deployment of 5G—especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
- Developers and Researchers: A flexible, open platform to test and innovate without needing expensive proprietary gear.
- Vendors and Integrators: Plug-and-play radios mean lower support costs and faster installations.
Technical Details
- OAI’s stack includes CU/DU splits (F1, E1), nFAPI between DU-high and DU-low, and full support for 7.2 interface.
- The Benetel RU was configured over the M-Plane with no manual commands—fully automated.
Watch the Demo
Disaggregated 5G OAI gNB with Benetel O-RUs
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Coming Soon: The L Release brings even more performance improvements and integration features. Stay tuned!