Today, the UK government has committed £ 30 million to support the launch of their Future RAN competition (FRANC), which will aim to finance “innovative R&D projects”, Which could help accelerate the adoption of a new breed of wireless network with open access to radio (Open RAN) 4G and 5G mobile networks.
Currently, most mobile operators in the UK can often choose from only a few major providers (eg Nokia, Ericsson) to help deploy their networks, which was not helped by last year’s government decision to ban Huawei from 5G (which also affects 4G) over security fears.
NOTE: The deadline to apply for FRANC is August 27, 2021, and the winning projects are expected to be announced in the fall.
Thus, the O-RAN approach seeks to standardize the design and functionality of such a kit and software for radio access (RAN country covers infrastructure, masts and antennas), which can increase the number of companies that can supply operators through supplier-neutral hardware. and software-defined technology.
However, the ecosystem around O-RAN is still evolving where FRANC enters to play. “To receive a share of £ 30 million, Technology and telecommunications innovators are encouraged to submit project proposals that will help to quickly track the availability of viable Open RAN products and suppliers and create a stronger argument for government and business investment in technology“, Said DCMS.
Obviously, such proposals could include exploring issues related to energy efficiency, spectrum resource management, the availability of modern software platforms, system integration and security. It all stems from the £ 250 million government-linked 5G diversification strategy.
Matt Warman, the British Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said:
“This race aims to get some of our most creative minds to help the UK safely and securely deliver the incredible benefits of 5G to people and businesses.
This is a key part of our plans to harness the country’s technological capabilities, open up the telecommunications market and create new jobs and investments as we build better than the pandemic. “
The government has also announced that former non-executive chairman of Fujitsu UK Simon Blagden will become chairman of the new Telecommunications Supply Chain Advisory Board, an independent expert body that will succeed the Telecommunications Diversification Working Group. The working group was tasked by the government to provide advice on how to effectively deliver a more competitive and diverse 5G telecommunications market and presented its final report in April.
The government will today publish your answer to the above-mentioned report, which outlines how the work of the working group will proceed recommendations in four areas, as well as its activity so far. But it should be noted that significant progress has already been made in the market, with large operators beginning to recognize the potential benefits of O-RAN.
For example, Vodafone recently announced that it will work with Dell, NEC, Samsung and others on the commercial implementation of 4G and 5G OpenRAN technology. The distribution aims to upgrade 2,600 sites in rural Wales and South West England (here), which should start later this year and be completed by 2027. O2 and others may soon try something similar.
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