The FCC has approved $9 billion in subsidies to boost 5G services in rural areas through the 5G Fund for Rural America. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by providing advanced mobile connectivity where it’s economically unviable.
Viavi Solutions Inc. has partnered with the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) to enhance Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) testing capabilities through VALOR, its Automated Lab-as-a-Service. This collaboration aims to standardize Open RAN deployment, backed by a $21.7 million NTIA grant, improving supply chain efficiency and accelerating global adoption.
In collaboration with the i2CAT Foundation, Vodafone is advancing an automated multi-vendor management system tailored for Open RAN. This initiative aims to streamline the integration of diverse hardware and software components from multiple vendors, a key feature of Open RAN technology.
Orange and Vodafone have announced significant progress in their collaborative Open RAN pilot project in Romania, now incorporating 2G capabilities. This development is part of their ongoing effort to innovate and optimize network technology.
Samsung and O2 Telefonica have unveiled their inaugural virtualised RAN (vRAN) and Open RAN commercial site in Landsberg am Lech, Bavaria, marking a significant milestone in Germany’s mobile network evolution. This deployment represents the premiere integration of Samsung’s 5G vRAN technology into a German commercial network.
Vodafone and Nokia have wrapped up a significant Open RAN trial in northern Italy after a three-month test period in the towns of Arcisate and Sernio, located in Lombardy. This trial, conducted on a standalone 5G network, aimed to assess the performance and viability of Open RAN technology in real-world conditions.
In a move to advance Open RAN technology, UK-based tech incubator Digital Catapult has introduced outdoor testing facilities through its SONIC (SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) Labs programme. The initiative aims to provide a real-world environment for firms to explore the practical value of Open RAN applications.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is joining forces with TELUS to pioneer Canada’s inaugural 5G open radio access network (Open RAN), marking a significant advancement in the country’s mobile connectivity infrastructure. By supplying essential infrastructure across 3,000 locations, this collaboration aims to revolutionize the way Canadians connect, offering faster and more responsive mobile services.
In a groundbreaking move, Mavenir is joining forces with Terrestar Solutions, a satellite operator based in Canada, to pioneer a project that seamlessly blends satellite connectivity with Open RAN terrestrial networks. This collaboration, revealed just before the Mobile World Congress (MWC), aims to offer users across the globe uninterrupted connectivity by merging satellite and terrestrial network capabilities.
The radio access network (RAN) equipment market experienced a significant downturn last year, as highlighted by recent reports from Omdia and Dell’Oro. These reports, drawing from detailed market analysis, reveal a challenging period for the industry, with global RAN revenues dropping by 11% to just over $40 billion.
