Open RAN security: what worries operators the most?

Each year, GSMA Intelligence surveys operators across the globe to understand their network transformation priorities and plans. The survey focuses on strategic and technology priorities as it is important to uncover and understand the connections between operator strategies and technologies. 

From a technology perspective, a global survey is not necessary to highlight that open RAN is on operators’ minds and technology agendas. Though deployments still trail plans by a large margin, new technology developments and product innovations are a mainstay of the weekly news. From a strategic perspective, sustainability tops operator priorities, but it is telling that end-user and network security complete the top three strategic focal points.

Here we examine how the two priorities of open RAN and security are linked, assess operators’ views and concerns around them, and highlight what they should be worried about.