Vodafone plans to use OpenRAN technology in 30% of its masts across Europe by 2030, said Johan Wibergh, Vodafone Group Chief Technology Officer, in a speech at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 in Barcelona.
Around 30,000 sites across Europe will eventually use OpenRAN, he said, with rural areas the first to benefit from the new 4G and 5G masts that use the more flexible radio technology. When the roll-out reaches cities, the equipment from any existing 5G masts being replaced will then be reused elsewhere to reduce unnecessary wastage, he said.
OpenRAN: Is this the future of 4G? You may have heard about a new mobile technology called OpenRAN. What is it and why does it matter?
Find out more Vodafone has been one of the key drivers behind the development and use of OpenRAN, building one of the first-ever live OpenRAN masts in Wales . This was followed by the construction of OpenRAN masts in Cornwall , as well as the UK’s first 5G OpenRAN site.
Vodafone switches on first 5G OpenRAN site Vodafone plans to have 2,500 OpenRAN sites live by 2027.
Find out more MWC has also seen Vodafone announce new smartphone sustainability initiatives , as well as the trial of new Internet of Things technology to enable cars to pay automatically for their own refueling.
