Vodafone and Orange have completed a successful pilot deploying 4G voice services over a cluster of shared commercial network sites near Bucharest, Romania. The trial used Open RAN (Radio Access Network) technology and demonstrates a practical step forward for more flexible, cost-efficient mobile networks.
Open RAN separates software and hardware functions, allowing radio base stations to be upgraded and managed remotely. This separation enables rapid, low-cost software updates and reduces the need for frequent physical site visits by increasing automation and remote orchestration capabilities.
Within a RAN-sharing arrangement, Open RAN also gives operators the option to run their virtualised RAN software on shared cloud infrastructure while preserving operational independence. Operators can therefore share physical assets and spectrum while maintaining control over their software stacks, enabling tailored services and differentiation for their customers.
Bruno Zerbib, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Orange, described the pilot as a key milestone:
“This first pilot deployment of Open RAN within Orange is an important milestone to demonstrate Open RAN is now mature for roll-out in brownfield networks. It opens the door for wider scale deployments across the group, and paves the way towards fully automated and intelligent networks.”
For the trial, Vodafone and Orange partnered with selected vendors to implement a virtualised RAN built on Open RAN standardised interfaces. The proof-of-concept validated the ability to perform seamless remote software updates and to operate the network with greater automation, flexibility and reduced operational costs.
The pilot’s success highlights how Open RAN can accelerate network modernization while delivering measurable benefits: lower deployment costs through shared hardware, quicker software roll-outs, and operational efficiency from automated management. These advantages are particularly compelling for extending mobile coverage in less populated and rural areas where cost pressures are higher.
Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer of Vodafone, emphasised the collaborative model the two companies developed:
“Alongside Orange, we have developed a model which will serve as a blueprint to extend mobile networks to rural communities across Europe. Open RAN sharing will allow us to reduce costs by sharing hardware components while independently managing our own RAN software in the cloud to be able to offer differentiated services to our respective customers.”
Beyond cost savings, the approach demonstrated in this pilot supports environmentally conscious deployment strategies. By enabling remote upgrades and more efficient operation, Open RAN can contribute to lower energy consumption at radio sites and extend equipment lifecycles by decoupling hardware from frequently changing software capabilities.
The collaborative Open RAN sharing model created by Vodafone and Orange provides a repeatable framework for other operators considering shared infrastructure. It shows how standardised interfaces and cloud-based virtualised RAN functions can allow multiple operators to share the same physical footprint while keeping control over their service features, security policies, and network roadmaps.
This achievement also supports broader European policy goals. By demonstrating cost-effective ways to expand and modernise mobile networks, the pilot aligns with the European Commission’s objective to achieve widespread 5G coverage across populated areas by 2030. While this trial focused on 4G voice services, its findings inform future Open RAN deployments for 5G and beyond.
The project underscores the importance of vendor collaboration, agreed standards and robust operational practices in making Open RAN commercially viable for brownfield networks—existing live networks that require careful migration planning to avoid service disruption. Lessons from the trial will help refine deployment processes, interoperability testing and cloud integration strategies.
By publishing the results of this pilot, Vodafone and Orange aim to encourage other operators and industry stakeholders to consider shared Open RAN designs where appropriate. Such architectures can deliver both competitive and societal benefits by lowering barriers to network expansion and improving service reach in underserved regions.
(Photo by Taylor Grote on Unsplash)
See also: UK joins leading nations to strengthen telecoms security and innovation
Looking to revamp your digital transformation strategy? Learn more about Digital Transformation Week events taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London.
Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge.