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

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 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,
• 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.

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, 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;
• 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.