Systems and methods for O-cloud resource optimization for radio access network (RAN) sharing in an open radio access network (O-RAN)

1 . A method performed by at least one processor executing a first application, the first application associated with a first network operator, the method comprising:

receiving, by the first application over an interface from a second application hosted on a non-real time (Non-RT) radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC), information regarding one or more sharing services registered by the second application on the Non-RT RIC, the second application associated with a second network operator, the one or more sharing services corresponding to one or more network resources associated with the second network operator, the first network operator and the second network operator being distinct mobile network operators, the first network operator being an operator of a first RAN, and the second network operator being an operator of a second RAN different from the first RAN;

transmitting, over the interface to the second application, a subscription request to the one or more sharing services;

receiving, over the interface from the second application in response to the subscription request, a subscription confirmation indicating a successful subscription to the one or more sharing services;

transmitting, over the interface to the second application, a network function instantiation request that requests instantiation of a network function that utilizes the one or more network resources of the second network operator;

receiving, in response to the network function instantiation request, a notification confirming that the network function is instantiated; and

monitoring performance of the instantiated network function on the one or more network resources,

wherein the first application is a first rApp provided in another Non-RT RIC associated with the first network operator, wherein the second application is a second rApp, and wherein the interface is a communication interface that permits communication between the first rApp and the second rApp and that extends between the Non-RT RIC associated with the second network operator and the other Non-RT RIC associated with the first network operator.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to the monitoring, transmitting, over the interface to the second application, a network scaling request that requests an increase in utilization of the one or more network resources.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring is performed based on data received from at least one of an O1 interface and an O2 interface.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the network instantiation request includes one or more parameters that specify one or more network resources of the second network operator required to instantiate the network function.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification is received from the second application.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification is received from the one or more network resources associated with the second network operator.

7 . An apparatus executing a first application, the first application associated with a first network operator, the apparatus comprising:

at least one memory configured to store computer program code; and

at least one processor configured to access said at least one memory and operate as instructed by said computer program code, said computer program code including:

first receiving code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to, over an interface from a second application hosted on a non-real time (Non-RT) radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC), receive by the first application information regarding one or more sharing services registered by the second application on the Non-RT RIC, the second application associated with a second network operator, the one or more sharing services corresponding to one or more network resources associated with the second network operator, the first network operator and the second network operator being distinct mobile network operators, the first network operator being an operator of a first RAN, and the second network operator being an operator of a second RAN different from the first RAN,

first transmitting code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to, over the interface to the second application, transmit a subscription request to the one or more sharing services,

second receiving code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to, over the interface from the second application in response to the subscription request, receive a subscription confirmation indicating a successful subscription to the one or more sharing services,

second transmitting code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to, over the interface to the second application, transmit a network function instantiation request that requests instantiation of a network function that utilizes the one or more network resources of the second network operator,

third receiving code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to, in response to the network function instantiation request, receive a notification confirming that the network function is instantiated, and

monitoring code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to monitor performance of the instantiated network function on the one or more network resources,

wherein the first application is a first rApp provided in another Non-RT RIC associated with the first network operator, wherein the second application is a second rApp, and wherein the interface is a communication interface that permits communication between the first rApp and the second rApp and that extends between the Non-RT RIC associated with the second network operator and the other Non-RT RIC associated with the first network operator.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said computer program code further includes:

third transmitting code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to, in response to the monitoring, transmit, over the interface to the second application, a network scaling request that requests an increase in utilization of the one or more network resources.

9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the monitoring is performed based on data received from at least one of an O1 interface and an O2 interface.

10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the network instantiation request includes one or more parameters that specify one or more network resources of the second network operator required to instantiate the network function.

11 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the notification is received from the second application.

12 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the notification is received from the one or more network resources associated with the second network operator.

13 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a processor executing a first application associated with a first network operator cause the processor to execute a method comprising:

receiving, by the first application over an interface from a second application hosted on a non-real time (Non-RT) radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC), information regarding one or more sharing services registered by the second application on the Non-RT RIC, the second application associated with a second network operator, the one or more sharing services corresponding to one or more network resources associated with the second network operator, the first network operator and the second network operator being distinct mobile network operators, the first network operator being an operator of a first RAN, and the second network operator being an operator of a second RAN different from the first RAN;

transmitting, over the interface to the second application, a subscription request to the one or more sharing services;

receiving, over the interface from the second application in response to the subscription request, a subscription confirmation indicating a successful subscription to the one or more sharing services;

transmitting, over the interface to the second application, a network function instantiation request that requests instantiation of a network function that utilizes the one or more network resources of the second network operator;

receiving, in response to the network function instantiation request, a notification confirming that the network function is instantiated; and

monitoring performance of the instantiated network function on the one or more network resources,

wherein the first application is a first rApp provided in another Non-RT RIC associated with the first network operator, wherein the second application is a second rApp, and wherein the interface is a communication interface that permits communication between the first rApp and the second rApp and that extends between the Non-RT RIC associated with the second network operator and the other Non-RT RIC associated with the first network operator.

14 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 , further comprising:

in response to the monitoring, transmitting, over the interface to the second application, a network scaling request that requests an increase in utilization of the one or more network resources.

15 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the monitoring is performed based on data received from at least one of an O1 interface and an O2 interface.

16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the network instantiation request includes one or more parameters that specify one or more network resources of the second network operator required to instantiate the network function.