Open Network Index: evaluating operators’ progress and attitudes to ‘openness’ across core, RAN and edge

Open networks apply proven cloud concepts to the networking domain while enabling components to be sourced from a broad ecosystem of vendors. Open networks boast high levels of automation and programmability and are built around the concept of utilising a common, horizontal cloud platform that supports cloud-native network functions from multiple vendors and from multiple network domains. Operators can enhance the flexibility, agility, composability, innovation and operational efficiency of their networks by implementing open architectures and open operating models.

To understand operator progress towards open networks, Analysys Mason surveyed 50 leading Tier-1 operators worldwide between December 2023 and January 2024. We then benchmarked operator progress from a vision/strategy perspective and a technical perspective to form the first iteration of Analysys Mason’s Open Network Index (ONI).

This perspective provides a detailed overview of our survey findings and offers calls to action for operators on developing open network strategies.