Vodafone has awarded important contracts to Samsung, NEC, Dell, Wind River, Capgemini Engineering and Keysight Technologies as part of its commitment to deploy OpenRAN across its networks.
OpenRAN (Open Radio Access Network) enables smaller and newer telecom vendors to compete with established suppliers by using standards-based, interoperable equipment. This approach encourages a more diverse ecosystem, increases vendor choice and can reduce costs while promoting innovation.
Matthew O’Neill, Head of Networks at NTT DATA UK, commented on the announcement:
“Vodafone’s announcement will advance OpenRAN technology across Europe. It is a positive step that will enable interoperability between suppliers and support the much-needed diversification of telecom equipment suppliers.
To realise the full promise of OpenRAN, we need more industry players to commit to early-stage investment and greater support for organisations such as the O-RAN Alliance, which are actively shaping the RAN industry and promoting competition and innovation.”
Governments have grown increasingly supportive of OpenRAN for its potential security benefits, particularly after the removal of certain vendors from Western networks. Operators value OpenRAN for the flexibility it brings to network deployments and for opportunities to lower operational and capital expenses.
Vodafone has been among the more vocal early adopters of OpenRAN. In October, Vodafone UK pledged to build 2,500 mobile sites using OpenRAN technology as part of its modernization plans.
Johan Wibergh, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone, outlined the operational benefits:
“OpenRAN offers significant advantages for our customers. It makes our network more programmable and automated, allowing us to roll out new features across many sites at once, reallocate or increase capacity faster, respond to outages more quickly, and provide businesses with on-demand connectivity.
OpenRAN is also revitalising our industry by stimulating greater technological innovation from a broader group of vendors and bringing much-needed diversity to the supply chain.”
In its announcement, Vodafone confirmed the six suppliers that will support its OpenRAN ambitions:
- Dell Technologies
- NEC
- Samsung
- Wind River
- Capgemini Engineering
- Keysight Technologies
Vodafone has also established a dedicated R&D centre in Newbury, UK focused on OpenRAN development and testing. The operator is partnering with chipset and ecosystem vendors to accelerate deployment: a recent collaboration with Qualcomm, for example, aims to introduce additional solutions into the OpenRAN project.
(Image Credit: Vodafone)
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