#Germany #O-RAN ALLIANCE #Bonn #PlugFest #RAN Testing

O-RAN Alliance Global PlugFest Fall 2025

The O-RAN ALLIANCE has recently initiated the Call for Participation for its upcoming O-RAN Global PlugFest set to take place in Fall 2025. This event aims to bring together manufacturers of Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, service providers, educational institutions, and research organizations to engage in a comprehensive testing, integration, and validation process within a collaborative, multi-vendor environment.

Event Overview

Scheduled to occur from August to November 2025, the PlugFest will be hosted across 19 labs globally by 25 operators and independent institutions. After the testing period, results will be showcased in presentations and demonstrations to the wider O-RAN community, with an official announcement planned for December 2025.

The PlugFest will focus on six key themes designed to enhance interoperability and deployment capabilities:
1. O-RAN System Testing with Layer 1 Acceleration
2. Open Fronthaul Testing: Demonstrating consistent and repeatable results across multiple labs.
3. Energy Consumption Testing: Assessing efficiency and potential savings in O-RAN applications.
4. End-to-End Deployment Templates: Incorporating DevOps practices and test automation.
5. Diversity Ecosystem of White-box Hardware: Supporting various hardware configurations and setups.
6. Open Fronthaul Transport Testing: Validating integrations with multiple O-RUs (Radio Units).

The Role of AI in RAN

Many of these themes will integrate artificial intelligence-driven components, such as Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs), and related xApps/rApps, all of which are enabled by the specifications laid out by O-RAN. This inclusion of AI aims to streamline RAN operations and improve overall network efficiency.

Registration Details

Participation in this important initiative is free for members of the O-RAN ALLIANCE. Organizations that are not yet members are also encouraged to join to benefit from various perks, including complimentary PlugFest participation, access to specialized meetings and technical workgroups, and opportunities to collaborate within the vast global O-RAN ecosystem.

Interested parties can learn more and register for the PlugFest on the O-RAN website.

Future Implications of PlugFest

Brian Daly, Co-chair of the O-RAN Technical Steering Committee and AVP at AT&T Services Inc., emphasized the significance of the PlugFest, stating, "The O-RAN Global PlugFest is more than just a testing event – it’s where ideas become solutions and collaborations help enable future real-world deployments." He highlighted the opportunity for participants to leverage advanced labs and work collectively towards validating and integrating technologies that will shape the next generation of open, intelligent, and virtualized RAN systems.

About O-RAN Alliance

The O-RAN ALLIANCE represents a worldwide community comprising mobile operators, vendors, academic institutions, and governmental agencies interested in enhancing Radio Access Networks. Its mission focuses on transforming the industry towards more intelligent, open, and interoperable mobile networks, facilitating a competitive RAN supplier ecosystem that promotes swift innovation for improved user experiences.

To achieve these goals, the O-RAN ALLIANCE continuously publishes new RAN specifications and provides necessary open software, assisting its members in implementing and testing their solutions effectively.

For additional information about the O-RAN Global PlugFest and its initiatives, please visit the O-RAN website at www.o-ran.org.