As demand for reliable connectivity continues to grow, in-building wireless networks have become a critical part of the telecom infrastructure landscape. From stadiums and large arenas to enterprise campuses and transportation hubs, end users expect the same high-quality connectivity indoors that they experience outdoors. Traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) have long been the standard for in-building connectivity, but there they come with some obstacles: complex installations, high power consumption and vendor lock-in.
Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) technologies are emerging as a transformative indoor solution. In-building networks can be a logical starting point for O-RAN adoption: they provide a controlled environment where operators can experiment with new architectures and technologies without affecting their large-scale macro networks. At the same time, the benefits of O-RAN – greater flexibility, vendor optionality and optimized performance – are especially valuable in indoor deployments.
Open interfaces mean real flexibility and savings
O-RAN has introduced a fundamentally different approach to creating wireless networks. Rather than relying on tightly integrated hardware systems, O-RAN uses open interfaces that allow components from multiple vendors to work together. This disaggregation separates hardware and software functions, creating a more flexible and modular architecture, while the standardized interfaces foster interoperability and create a broader ecosystem of compatible components.
While not a requirement, virtualized platforms are widely optimized for O-RAN. By moving many network functions into software, operators gain the ability to dynamically scale capacity and introduce new capabilities through software updates rather than hardware replacements. For indoor environments where demand can fluctuate significantly, this flexibility can be especially valuable.
These open interfaces also extend advantages to reduced complexity, power reduction and cost savings. By leveraging digital fronthaul, O-RAN directly translates the vDU output signal into the DAS, eliminating the need for traditional attenuation processes that require significant power and temperature management. Not only does in-building O-RAN simplify deployment, but it shrinks the physical space that’s needed for equipment and minimizes power and cooling demands, making it an efficient, sustainable and lower cost solution for indoor networks.
Intelligence where it matters most
With the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), deeper innovation and optimization is unlocked. The RIC brings software-defined control to radio resources in ways that manual configuration can’t always match. It can analyze traffic patterns, adjust power levels and steer users between cells, all while learning what works best for each specific environment.
The RIC also enables dynamic resource allocation, enabling network slicing. Different tenants or applications can receive guaranteed service levels, with the network automatically prioritizing traffic and managing interference to maintain those commitments. This ability opens up new revenue generation opportunities for mobile operators that hardware-defined systems may not be able to support.
With vendor-agnostic intelligence, the RIC enables seamless interoperability across diverse hardware and software components from multiple vendors. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, it ensures that multi-vendor equipment works cohesively to deliver consistent performance. For instance, it can dynamically adjust signal parameters across antennas from different manufacturers, ensuring uniform coverage and capacity without manual intervention. This capability not only enhances operational efficiency but also empowers operators to build truly open, future-proof networks that can adapt to evolving technologies and vendor ecosystems without compromising performance or reliability.
Future-proofing with software updates
Virtualization allows for more straightforward and seamless upgrades compared to historical methods. With a software-based architecture, new features arrive as software updates. Capacity increases come from adding processing power, not replacing every piece of equipment in the signal chain. Multi-vendor interoperability means you can upgrade components independently, choosing best-of-breed solutions rather than accepting whatever your single vendor offers.
This capability matters particularly for spectrum flexibility. As new bands and technologies are added, virtualized systems can support these through straightforward software updates. This means that the infrastructure you install today can accommodate requirements that don’t exist just yet – and that’s the true definition of future-proofing.
Building out the open ecosystem
Samsung’s work in O-RAN extends beyond individual products. As an active member of the O-RAN Alliance, Samsung holds co-chair positions in two working groups, has representation across several additional working groups and is part of the O-RAN Open Source Project Technical Oversight Committee. Through these roles, we’re helping shape standards and best practices that benefit the entire ecosystem. Innovations like vRAN integration with Massive MIMO and support for high bandwidths demonstrate what becomes possible when openness meets advanced engineering.
The shift to virtualized, open in-building systems isn’t coming; it’s here. The question is whether you’re positioned to take advantage of these advancements or still navigating the complexity of legacy approaches. The difference is clear in installation costs, energy bills and how quickly you can respond when business requirements change.
To learn more, watch this panel discussion filmed onsite at MWC 2026, where Samsung joined JMA Wireless and other industry leaders to discuss Redefining In-Building Coverage with O-RAN.
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