Shamik Mishra, CTO Connectivity at Capgemini Engineering, and Thomas Lips, SVP RAN Disaggregation and Enablement at Deutsche Telekom, detail standards aligned SMO architecture spanning Open RAN and legacy 4G and 5G networks
February 27, 2026: A new policy driven approach to Radio Access Network control is taking shape in Europe as Deutsche Telekom collaborates with Capgemini to build a unified Service Management and Orchestration architecture across Open RAN and legacy environments.
Telecom operators across Europe are navigating increasingly complex RAN ecosystems involving multiple vendors, technologies and network generations. Traditional management systems often rely on proprietary controls, limiting flexibility and increasing operational complexity. The joint initiative introduces a standards aligned SMO platform designed to operate consistently across Open RAN, 5G and 4G networks within Deutsche Telekom’s European footprint.
The platform enables operators to define their own operational policies, automate workflows and manage multi vendor RAN environments without dependency on closed vendor systems. It supports incremental modernization, allowing live networks to evolve without service disruption.
Built on an open architecture, the solution integrates rApps capable of automating RAN functions using artificial intelligence and digital twin capabilities. These applications run on Radio Intelligent Controllers deployable across hyperscaler infrastructure or private telecom cloud environments. The architecture also allows for the certification and hosting of third party applications within a broader ecosystem.
Shamik Mishra, CTO Connectivity at Capgemini Engineering, said, “Operators require control, intelligence and openness across radio networks. This standards aligned SMO platform enables automation across both Open RAN and legacy environments through multi vendor interoperability and AI powered rApps.”
Thomas Lips, SVP RAN Disaggregation and Enablement at Deutsche Telekom, said, “A vendor independent and standards compliant SMO is central to the evolution of how we operate radio access networks. Together with Capgemini, we are engineering an architecture shaped by operational experience and designed for multi vendor networks. We are preparing deployment across our European footprint and positioning the solution for global availability as a software service.”
The companies will demonstrate the platform at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, presenting a unified RAN operations dashboard featuring real time topology visualization, AI driven optimization, multi vendor rApp deployment and conflict management.
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