Three open RAN leaders joined Ookla in a panel discussion about the technology’s real-world performance at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona.

Creating a scalable and agile network architecture, avoiding becoming dependent upon a single vendor, and building a more flexible and efficient network are just a handful of the reasons that some mobile operators are deciding to use the open radio access network (open RAN) approach in their network deployments. 

During a panel hosted by Ookla at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on March 4, Luke Kehoe, Ookla’s European analyst, moderated a discussion about open RAN  featuring top mobile executives from Boost Mobile (formerly Dish Wireless) in the U.S., Paradise Mobile in Bermuda, and 1&1 in Germany.

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Open RAN refers to the separation of the hardware and software components of the RAN. This technology has gained a lot of attention in the telecom industry over the past few years because it makes it possible to use interoperable hardware and software from different vendors, ideally leading to cost savings for operators and more flexibility in the network. 

All three operators have deployed open RAN in greenfield networks. According to Eben Albertyn, EVP and CTO of Boost Mobile, open RAN was an appealing solution for the company because it provided the operator with “near-infinite architectural freedom” and the ability to leverage open interfaces while still retaining control over the ecosystem. 

“No part of our ecosystem can hold an architectural gun to our head,” Albertyn said, referring to traditional RAN networks that are often built with hardware and software from a sole vendor. Albertyn added that Boost Mobile has been able to swap components within the network without any negative ramifications. “It is an absolute success for us,” he said. 

The open vendor ecosystem of open RAN was also a key differentiator for 1&1. Michael Martin, CEO of 1&1 Mobilfunk, said that open RAN enabled the company to build a highly modular network with standardized components. He said the operator launched its network in December 2023 and started offering its enhanced mobile broadband (EMBB) services right away.

Since its launch, 1&1 has migrated six million mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) customers onto its network at a rate of 50,000 customers per day. “That’s a massive achievement,” Martin said. He emphasized that this success in managing a complex customer migration while building a network capable of supporting a large user base in a short period offers valuable lessons for brownfield operators elsewhere aiming to incorporate open RAN into their networks in the coming years.

Scalability and flexibility are key reasons Paradise Mobile chose open RAN. Zlatko Zahirovic, CTO and founder of Paradise Mobile, said that his company’s entire network is in three racks – all using x86-based servers. “If we had chosen something other than an x86-based architecture, we would have been doing ourselves a disservice,” he said, noting that the open RAN architecture promotes flexibility and scalability. 

But perhaps the biggest endorsement for open RAN is the ease with which these operators will be able to leverage new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Martin said that open RAN’s cloud-native structure makes AI integration seamless. “Whatever the next AI breakthrough is, we’ll be ready to deploy it faster than any traditional network.”

Similarly, the significant investments made by these open RAN players in delivering edge compute capabilities closer to the end user will place them in a unique position to adapt to shifts in traffic patterns that are expected from emerging AI applications.