RAN & Open RAN News
All the latest radio access network (RAN) and open RAN news involving BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone claims 5G open RAN first
Vodafone UK launches 5G open RAN site, building on government‑led open infrastructure ambition. Initial launch leverages partnerships with Capgemini, Dell, Intel, Keysight, Samsung, and Wind River. NEC and Samsung to be used in tandem for 2,500 sites from mid‑2022.
Network & Infrastructure
Peru’s IpT likes open RAN, but sees room for improvement
CTO of rural provider lauds lower energy consumption, shorter implementation times, compared with traditional 4G rollouts. Flags “some limitations” on capacity and scalability, however; “overall cost” of open RAN equipment still in same ballpark as kit from mainstream vendors.
Strategy & Change
Deutsche Telekom reveals new CTO; Choi switches to R&D
Head of Technology & Innovation Claudia Nemat making a New Year refresh of her top team. Open RAN point man Abdurazak Mudesir takes over as CTO as Group increases bet on network disaggregation. Current CTO Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi moves to a potentially more free-wheeling position overseeing R&D and ...
Network & Infrastructure
BT’s McRae sees open RAN potential in tackling ‘not‑spots’
Optimistic about RIC to enable connectivity in hard-to-reach places. Flags work on rural open RAN trial in Wales, with BT as neutral host provider. Restates view that open RAN functionality is more important than lowering costs.
Vendor Voice
Wind River claims spotlight for new role at intelligent edge
Decisive moves to embrace disaggregated networks by global leaders including Vodafone and Verizon are creating opportunity for Wind River to seize an enabling role for MEC and 5G services. Early O‑RAN deployments are “proving the future” for cloud‑native infrastructure, and demonstrating the need for technology that can ‘scale down’ ...
Network & Infrastructure
EU could miss RAN innovation opportunity warn operators
Europe’s big four maintained momentum for their open RAN collaboration with a new report calling for EU intervention to make the region an innovation hub. Analysys Mason‑backed report highlights need for diverse suppliers in a market predicted to be worth €36bn by 2026. Outsider BT questions level of support ...
Innovation (R&D)
Telefónica backs interoperability through new O-RAN lab
i14y Lab set to be tangible evidence of European operators and authorities collaborating to develop the open RAN ecosystem in wider pursuit of disaggregated networks. Telefónica highlights opportunity to reinforce the security of open RAN and assuage policymaker concerns.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone hails “technological milestone” with open RAN trial
Successful test completed in collaboration with long-term software partner Mavenir.
Network & Infrastructure
Fluent Gopalan flexes on fibre and 5G
Telekom Deutschland Chief Executive Srini Gopalan continues to emphasise need for network‑building partnerships. DT has not given up on under-scrutiny Glasfaser Nordwest JV. Group tech boss Claudia Nemat maintains environmental messaging — and surprises with a musical demo of 5G SA.
Innovation (R&D)
DCMS allocates £36m in R&D funding for 5G projects
Future RAN competition rewards 15 companies, including four BT partners. UK government distributes funds as part of its Supply Chain Diversification Strategy. Also sets target for 35% of UK mobile network traffic to be carried via open RAN by 2030. 2G, 3G expected to be retired by 2033 at ...
Strategy & Change
DT joins European telco call for open RAN help
Group signs off on Analysys Mason report recommending that European policymakers financially stimulate the region’s open RAN ecosystem. Report also backed by Orange, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, and Vodafone. Awkwardly, a week prior to report publication, DT announces government funding for new Berlin lab to test and validate open networks. ...