The invention relates to a distributed radio access network communicatively coupled to a core network, and a method for upholding a service in case of a failure in the distributed radio access network. The distributed radio access network comprises a main radio equipment controller communicatively coupled to at least one remote radio unit over a main optical path, a backup radio equipment controller communicatively coupled to the main radio equipment controller for synchronization, and a protection optical path for communicatively coupling the at least one remote radio unit to the backup radio equipment controller in case of a failure in communication between the main radio equipment controller and the at least one remote radio unit over the main optical path such that a service remains running when the failure occurs.