Ericsson, Dell, and Red Hat Drive Open RAN Innovation with O2 Interface

As demand for Open RAN grows, Ericsson, Dell Technologies, and Red Hat are driving its commercialization, ensuring seamless deployment, automation, and interoperability in cloud-based Radio Access Networks (RAN).

Ericsson has played a pivotal role in standardizing the O2 interface and is collaborating with Dell and Red Hat to help communication service providers (CSPs) establish open, multi-cloud environments. This partnership is focused on integrating Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks, Dell Telecom Infrastructure Automation Suite, and Red Hat OpenShift with the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) via the O2-IMS interface. These innovations will be showcased at MWC 2025 at the Dell (booth #3M10) and Ericsson booths in Barcelona from March 3-6, 2025.

The O2 interface ensures interoperability between the RAN management layer and the O-Cloud infrastructure, which hosts cloud-native Open RAN functions. It supports two key functions: O2 Infrastructure Management Service (IMS), which enables resource management, monitoring, and lifecycle automation, and O2 Deployment Management Service (DMS), which streamlines Open RAN function deployment across multiple O-Clouds. By aligning different network domains, the O2 interface enhances flexibility and efficiency in multi-vendor environments.

Ericsson has prioritized the O2 interface within its portfolio, integrating it into the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform and Cloud RAN solutions. Its Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS) and Operations Manager Cloud Infrastructure (OMC) provide a consolidated O2-IMS interface, ensuring seamless resource orchestration. The company has also demonstrated the first instance of multiple RAN system vendors integrating with EIAP through the O1 interface, simplifying network management across diverse platforms.

Industry leaders emphasize the significance of Open RAN and the O2 interface. Anders Vestergren, Head of Solution Area Network Management at Ericsson, stated that openness and interoperability are key to future telecom networks, enabling CSPs to build flexible and scalable infrastructure. Honoré LaBourdette, Vice President of the Global Telco Ecosystem at Red Hat, highlighted the alignment with O-Cloud standards as essential for optimizing network platforms. Andrew Vaz, Vice President, Product Management, Telecom Systems Business at Dell Technologies, stressed that open and standardized interfaces accelerate network innovation and efficiency.

At MWC 2025, attendees will witness how Ericsson, Dell, and Red Hat are industrializing the O2 interface and advancing Open RAN adoption. With growing investment in multi-vendor telecom networks, the O2 interface is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of cloud-based RAN deployment.