SONIC Labs Innovation Workshop

How can Open RAN overcome its unification challenge? Does automating continuous integration, deployment and testing hold the key to addressing this challenge? 

Calling Open RAN technology experts and academics, digital innovators, start-ups, SMEs. If you’ve an interest in developing innovative solutions to support Open RAN unification, register now to join Digital Catapult’s SONIC Labs team for this practical, workshop-based session and make a crucial contribution to solve this key challenge and accelerate the efficient adoption and deployment of Open RAN technologies.

Digital Catapult is bringing together innovators, systems engineers, DevOps engineers, and systems architects with key players in the Open RAN ecosystem to ideate around, and collectively solve, a key Open RAN priority; How can Open RAN overcome its unification challenge? One solution lies in automating continuous integration, deployment, and testing (CI/CD/CT) which brings its own challenges, however developments in automation can speed up and bring efficiencies to the CI/CD/CT process.

If you possess a deep understanding of networking technologies and protocols, experience in designing and managing telecommunications systems, proficiency in automation tools and methodologies, expertise in cloud computing and virtualisation technologies, and strong problem-solving skills we invite you to delve into this challenge and identify the next priority hurdle.

This workshop is designed for those who are keen to explore operational and critical ideas, as well as possessing problem solving skills and the ability to think creatively to address this critical industry challenge and accelerate the adoption of Open RAN.

This includes:

• Innovators, system engineers, DevOps Engineers, Solution and system architects
• Open RAN vendors
• System Integrators
• MNOs
• Testing Labs (international, national, government and commercial)

This collaborative environment encourages the exploration of operational and critical ideas to accelerate the adoption of Open RAN. Each company taking part in the Innovation workshop will benefit through gaining:

• Knowledge and understanding around the automation of Open RAN

With access to practical insights and real life case studies, this workshop can help you to increase your understanding of effective automation strategies within the context of Open RAN deployment.

• Awareness of critical priorities

By increasing your awareness of critical priorities facing Open RAN deployment, you will be able to better address challenges and contribute to the development of solutions within your own organisation.

• A deeper understanding of Open RAN products

By learning more about Open RAN products, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with their implementation, you will gain a deeper understanding that can inform your future decision-making and strategy development.

• An opportunity for collaboration and ideation

For individuals with expertise in networking technologies, automation tools, and methodologies, particularly within the context of CI/CD pipelines, this workshop provides an opportunity to collaborate and ideate with other stakeholders in the Open RAN ecosystem.

• Networking opportunities

Gain the chance to make valuable connections and potential collaborations. Throughout the workshop, you will get to meet key players in the Open RAN ecosystem, including mobile network operators (MNOs), testing labs, vendors, and government representatives.

• Collectively shape the evolution of Open RAN

By participating, you will help to shape the future of Open RAN technology and contribute to the improvement and advancement of Open RAN systems.

09.30 – Arrival and registration

10.00 – Welcome note

10.15 – Challenge owner presentation
Adrian Sharples, Principal, Mobile Networks Research – BT

10.40 – Automation of Open RAN presentation by Viavi
Chris Murphy, Regional CTO, EMEA – VIAVI Solutions

11:00 – Break

11.10 – Use case of Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment and Continuous Testing (CI /CD/CT) presentation by zTouch
Salvatore D’Oro, Research Scientist and Co-founder – zTouch

11.30 – Ideation: Interactive sandbox session

12.30 – Lunch

13.30 – Ideation groups: Prioritisation of ideas

14.30 – Ideation groups: Shortlisting and requirement setting of priority ideas

15:30 – Break

15.40 – Innovators: Presentation of shortlisted ideas and Q&A

16.10 – Wrap up and close

16:30 – End

Data Protection:

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