As the race toward Standalone 5G ecosystems continues, many still question whether Open RAN is the right direction for them to go. The true promise of 5G is the level of connectivity and bandwidth that will enable Internet of Things and Connected Societies we’ve been dreaming of. Open RAN, and the spirit of openness and collaboration, is the key to getting there as quickly as possible. This paper makes the case for Open RAN, not only for its cost benefits and the leveling of the competitive landscape, but as an engine for innovation and a quicker route to new services for wireless customers.