Virgin Media O2 has activated its first Open RAN cell sites in Northamptonshire, paving the way for wider deployment of the generation on its 4G and 5G networks.
Open RAN (opens in a new tab) is a vendor-independent radio networking technique with standardized designs that allows corporations to supply hardware and software instead of the highly incorporated cell site products historically presented through major manufacturers.
The hope is that OpenRAN can generate innovation, pricing and dependence on the “big three” Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia.
Virgin Media O2, along with its network partners NEC and Rakuten Symphony, effectively completed the lab last year with a view to implementing at least 800 Open RAN sites by the end of 2022.
NEC provides formula integration features and an open end-to-end platform, while Rakuten provides the Open RAN software, edge cloud, and radio control and operational formula.
NEC is a major player in the RAN market in its local Japan, but hopes to adapt the generation it has built for its Japanese consumers to a wider audience. The appetite for OpenRAN and the spirit of openness within the industry, coupled with the willingness of governments to build the pool of potential suppliers, has increased their chances of success.
“The successful activation of Virgin Media O2’s first macro sites in the UK demonstrates the prospect of the multi-vendor Open RAN model,” said Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer, Virgin Media O2.
“We strongly support the varied Open RAN ecosystems and at NEC, we have a spouse who truly shares our point of view. Its industry-leading systems integration features are critical to helping us deliver the cellular networks of the long run today.
Virgin Media O2’s offer to diversify its supplier pool has also led it to marry Samsung, which is also looking to the UK market.
Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro’s mobile industry resident expert and covers all facets of global and UK news, from operators to service providers and everything in between. He is a former editor-in-chief of Silicon UK and a journalist with over a decade of experience. in the technology industry, writing about technology, namely telecommunications, cellular and sports technology, sports, video games and media.
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