Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) Deployment Strategies for Rural and Remote Areas: A Systematic Literature Review

Extending mobile connectivity to sparsely populated rural and remote regions remains a persistent global challenge, shaped by low population density, constrained terrestrial backhaul, unreliable power supply, and low average revenue per user (ARPU). Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), characterized by disaggregated O-RU, O-DU, and O-CU functions, open interfaces, Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), and Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC)-enabled automation, offers a promising architectural pathway for addressing these constraints through vendor diversity, infrastructure sharing, programmable optimization, and cost-transparent deployment models. This systematic literature review follows PRISMA guidance and synthesizes 27 peer-reviewed studies, standards documents, industry white papers, and field deployment reports published between January 2018 and March 2026. The review critically evaluates six mutually reinforcing deployment strategy dimensions: topology-aware functional split selection; hybrid backhaul architectures integrating fiber, microwave, satellite, and TV White Space (TVWS); infrastructure and spectrum sharing models, including neutral-host MOCN/MORAN and OneRAN pooling; SMO/RIC-driven energy and mobility automation; renewable energy integration for off-grid autonomy; and total cost of ownership (TCO)-based viability modeling. Reported quantitative evidence includes approximately 20% dynamic power reduction through ORTP-based xApps, a 10% OPEX reduction over five years through SMO automation, and throughput gains through infrastructure pooling; however, these claims remain unevenly validated across simulations, vendor studies, pilot reports, and peer-reviewed field measurements. The review identifies eight major research gaps, including the absence of standardized rural Open RAN TCO frameworks, limited long-term multi-vendor field evidence, unresolved security and SLA enforcement for neutral-host deployments, and weak linkage between technical design choices and socioeconomic outcomes. The paper provides actionable guidance for operators, regulators, vendors, tower companies, and development agencies seeking to deploy Open RAN in rural and remote contexts.