Rakuten Mobile, a leading operator known for its innovative approach to telecommunications, is moving its focus to the United States to bolster the advancement of Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). The company’s initiative is a part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. This fund aims to foster the development and adoption of Open RAN technology, promoting competition within the wireless sector and enhancing the global telecommunications supply chain.
In this ambitious endeavor, Rakuten Mobile is collaborating with U.S.-based vendors such as Battelle Memorial Institute, Microelectronics Technology, Eridan Communications, and Airspan Networks. These vendors will develop and deploy open radio units (RUs), adhering to international standards set by entities like the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the O-RAN Alliance. Through this collaboration, Rakuten Mobile will facilitate testing, integration, and proof-of-concept trials using its Open RAN-compatible distributed units (DUs) and centralized units (CUs).
The Japanese company’s experience in operating an Open RAN-based network in Japan positions it well to drive these advancements. Yet, deploying such cutting-edge technology across the United States poses several challenges, including achieving consistency, integrating with existing networks, and ensuring security. Success could unveil substantial benefits, like increased competition, cost reductions, and improved network performance.
In a similar vein, the collaborative spirit extends beyond the U.S. Recently, Telkom Kenya, Rakuten Symphony, and Airspan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster Open RAN technology’s knowledge transfer and testing in Africa. The focus will be on developing and testing 4G and 5G technologies. The collaboration offers Telkom Kenya a chance to enhance its open and flexible network architecture expertise, with automation and AI-powered technologies as a significant area of interest. According to Mugo Kibati, CEO of Telkom Kenya, the company is thrilled about the consortium’s potential to modernize its network, thus improving technological advances.