Your Vendor Owns Your Network.
Open RAN Sets You Free.
Proprietary RAN locks operators into a single vendor's upgrade cycle, pricing, and roadmap. HCT's Open RAN practice — built on Intel FlexRAN, O-RAN Alliance specs, and multi-vendor integration expertise — breaks that lock and cuts CapEx by 40%.
Proprietary RAN Is Costing You — Every Year
Traditional RAN architecture concentrates BBU, RRH, and management software in a single vendor stack. When that vendor raises prices, slows your roadmap, or exits a market — you have no exit.
CapEx Inflation with Every Upgrade Cycle
Software Upgrades Held Hostage
RIC Intelligence Blocked
MEA Greenfield Deployments Underserved
Disaggregated. Standards-Based. Intelligent.
O-RAN Alliance defines open interfaces across the full RAN stack. HCT integrates multi-vendor components and adds AI/ML-driven RIC intelligence.
Non-RT RIC (SMO)A1 Interface
AI/ML policy training, rApp marketplace, network-wide optimization. HCT integrates OpenVINO models pushed to near-RT RIC via A1 policies. Control loop: over 1 second.
↓ A1
Near-RT RICE2 Interface
10ms-1s control loop. xApp execution: mobility load balancing, QoS scheduling, interference mitigation. HCT deploys OSC/Radisys Near-RT RIC with custom xApps for private 5G.
↓ E2 / O1
O-CU (Centralized Unit) — PDCP / RRCF1 Interface
Runs as VNF on Xeon Scalable. Control plane + User plane separation. Handles PDCP encryption, RRC signaling, handover decisions across multi-DU deployments.
↓ F1-U / F1-C
O-DU (Distributed Unit) — MAC / PHY-High7.2x Fronthaul
Intel FlexRAN reference software on Xeon-D handles upper PHY + MAC/scheduler. Connects to O-RU via eCPRI fronthaul at 7.2x split. Real-time scheduling without proprietary firmware.
↓ eCPRI Fronthaul (7.2x)
O-RU (Radio Unit) — PHY-Low / RFOpen Fronthaul
Passive RF + PHY-Low only. Multi-vendor: Foxconn, Benetel, CommScope. Any 7.2x-certified O-RU works with HCT DU/CU stack. Mix indoor small cells + outdoor macro as needed.
What HCT Delivers on Open RAN
Multi-Vendor RAN Integration
O-RAN Alliance Certified · E2E Integration Lab · MEA Field Proven
Near-RT RIC and xApp Development
10ms Control Loop · Python/Go xApp SDK · OpenVINO Inference
Cloud-Native RAN Deployment
CNF Architecture · Helm/Argo · Intel Smart Edge Orchestration
Energy-Efficient RAN Optimisation
20-30% Energy Reduction · AI-Driven Sleep Mode · Carbon Reporting
Sovereign RAN for Government
Air-Gapped Deployment · Signed Firmware · Sovereign Security
O1/A1 Observability Stack
NETCONF/YANG · Prometheus/Grafana · HCT IoP Integration
Proprietary RAN vs Open RAN: The Numbers
| Parameter | Proprietary RAN | HCT Open RAN |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Cost (per macro site) | $75K-$100K | $40K-$55K (40% lower) |
| Vendor Lock-in | Full stack — RU/DU/CU/OAM same vendor | Best-of-breed per layer, swap independently |
| Feature Upgrade Cycle | 12-24 months (vendor-gated) | 3-6 months (open software) |
| AI/RIC Integration | Proprietary ML modules only | Open RIC · Custom xApps · OpenVINO |
| Energy Optimisation | Limited vendor tools | 20-30% savings via RIC energy xApps |
| Sovereign/Air-Gap Deployment | Requires vendor cloud access | Fully air-gapped on x86 servers |
| MEA Local Support | Thin coverage, weeks for spares | HCT regional NOC + standard x86 spares |
| CapEx ROI Period | 6-8 years | 3-4 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Open RAN?
Open RAN is a disaggregated radio access network architecture that splits the base station into Radio Unit, Distributed Unit and Centralised Unit, connected by open standardised O-RAN interfaces. This allows multi-vendor sourcing instead of a single proprietary stack.
What are the real benefits of Open RAN for an operator?
Vendor choice and reduced lock-in, lower total cost through competitive sourcing, faster feature introduction, and the ability to scale RAN capacity independently of a single supplier roadmap. HCT Group handles the integration and interoperability testing that determines whether those benefits are actually realised.
What are the risks of Open RAN and how are they managed?
The main risk is multi-vendor integration complexity and the absence of a single accountable supplier. HCT Group takes system integrator accountability, running interoperability validation, performance benchmarking and end-to-end assurance across the vendor mix.
Is Open RAN suitable for enterprise private networks as well as operators?
Yes. Open RAN principles apply to enterprise private 5G, where they reduce dependence on any single radio vendor and allow the RAN to be sized and sourced against the specific site rather than an operator-grade catalogue.
Break Your Vendor Lock-In Today
HCT architects Open RAN for private 5G, operator vRAN, and sovereign networks across MEA. Let us model your CapEx savings.