PROPOSED AGENDA

September 16–17, 2025

Day 1 – Tuesday, September 16

11:00 AM ET – Invited Keynote
11:20 AM ET – Partner Keynote
11:40 AM ET – Panel: The Future of Open RAN in the U.S. and Globally
Open RAN is redefining the future of mobile networks by enabling multi-vendor interoperability in the radio access ecosystem. Different regions are adopting open RAN to meet their unique challenges. In the U.S. two major operators are working with open RAN, but there are other global operators that have been open RAN trailblazers and have lessons to share about large-scale deployments. Whether deployed in greenfield or brownfield environments, Open RAN presents a paradigm shift in how networks are built, managed and scaled. The stakeholders on this panel will share insights on deployment strategies, regulatory frameworks and the evolving vendor landscape. Attendees will gain a comprehensive view of the global open RAN movement—its progress, hurdles and the collaborative momentum shaping its future.
Moderator: Linda Hardesty, Chief Analyst, Fierce Network Research
Panelists: 2 invited, 2 partners

BREAK

1:00 PM ET – Invited Keynote
1:20 PM ET – Partner Keynote
1:40 PM ET – Panel: Unpacking Open RAN Technology and Its Related Standards
Open RAN is rapidly gaining momentum as a transformative force in mobile network architecture, driving disaggregated, interoperable and software-driven radio access networks. This panel will dive into the core technologies powering open RAN, including open interfaces, virtualized RAN functions, RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) and cloud-native deployments.
The panel will also look at the standards bodies that are playing a critical role in shaping its technical foundations, ensuring interoperability and driving industry-wide adoption. Panelists will discuss ongoing efforts to define open interfaces, ensure compliance and align open RAN specifications with broader 5G and 6G evolution. Attendees will gain insight into the current state of open RAN standardization and collaboration among standards groups. Join us for a deep dive into the technology reshaping the future of connectivity.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: 2 invited, 2 partners

2:30 PM ET – Panel: Fierce Network Research Open RAN Survey Data and Discussion
Led by Fierce Network Research’s Linda Hardesty, this session will discuss the results of a two-month survey of leading telecom operators to identify the drivers and barriers to the adoption of Open RAN. Leading vendors, ecosystem maturity, deployment scenario, architectures and more will also be discussed.
Moderator: Linda Hardesty, Chief Analyst, Fierce Network Research
Panelists: 4 partners

Day 2 – Wednesday, September 17

11:00 AM ET – Invited Keynote
11:20 AM ET – Partner Keynote
11:40 AM ET – Panel: Preparing the Ground: The Critical Role of vRAN in Enabling Open RAN
Virtualized RAN (vRAN) is a foundational stepping-stone in the evolution toward open RAN, offering the flexibility, scalability and efficiency needed for modern, cloud-native networks. This session will delve into the critical role vRAN plays in preparing networks for successful open RAN deployment. Industry experts will discuss the technical and architectural shifts required to transition from traditional, hardware-centric RANs to virtualized environments that support disaggregated components and open interfaces. Topics will include cloud infrastructure readiness, orchestration and automation, fronthaul optimization, and integration with legacy systems. Attendees will gain practical insights into the operational and strategic considerations for vRAN adoption and how it lays the groundwork for a seamless and future-proof open RAN rollout.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: 2 invited, 2 partners

BREAK

1:00 PM ET – Invited Keynote
1:20 PM ET – Partner Keynote
1:40 PM ET – Panel: The Future of Networks is Wide Open with Open RAN and AI
As mobile networks evolve to meet the demands of 5G and beyond, the convergence of open RAN and artificial intelligence (AI) will open unprecedented possibilities for performance, automation and innovation. This session explores how the disaggregated, software-defined architecture of open RAN creates fertile ground for AI-driven intelligence across the RAN stack. Experts will discuss how AI and machine learning are being applied to optimize resource allocation, automate network operations, enhance security, save energy and enable real-time decision-making. With insights into current use cases and future applications, attendees will gain a visionary perspective on how open RAN and AI together are not just transforming the radio access network, but redefining what’s possible in a truly open, adaptive and intelligent mobile ecosystem.
Moderator: Mitch Wagner, Chief Analyst, Fierce Network Research
Panelists: 2 invited, 2 partners