Vodafone and Mavenir have introduced a small cell OpenRAN solution designed to improve indoor network coverage for businesses.
Targeted at medium to large office environments, the solution leverages OpenRAN principles to ensure interoperability and avoid vendor lock-in, making it easier for organisations to deploy and manage indoor cellular connectivity.
Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, said:
“So far, OpenRAN deployment has focused on outdoor connectivity, but there is significant potential for this technology in the office environment.
A simple plug-and-play product, which includes all the attractive benefits of the OpenRAN philosophy, is one that can build on our strength of providing indoor coverage through both our macro network and our bespoke solutions.”
The plug-and-play design allows small cell units to be positioned almost anywhere in an office, enabling consistent coverage across workspaces without complex installations.
Mavenir contributes its Open vRAN software for the solution, while Sercomm supplies the radio hardware. This combination supports a flexible, software-driven RAN architecture suitable for enterprise environments.
Virtyt Koshi, SVP at Mavenir EMEA, added:
“Mavenir is delighted to partner with Vodafone in Open RAN and to work in the UK on their radio network transformation initiative, proving the extreme flexibility of Open vRAN.
We are particularly proud in working in the field within the Vodafone commercial network and in the Newbury Open RAN Test and Verification lab, supporting the Vodafone effort to boost the ecosystem.”
Vodafone and Mavenir have a well-established partnership. In August 2020, Vodafone activated the UK’s first OpenRAN site to carry live traffic, using Mavenir software paired with radio units from Sunwave. The two companies intend to continue expanding their collaboration to roll out additional OpenRAN sites.
Initially, the new indoor OpenRAN deployment will provide 4G coverage, with potential for future evolution as requirements and technology progress.
(Image Credit: Vodafone)
Related: Vodafone set to Open(RAN) a pioneering new UK R&D centre
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