Rakuten Mobile announced launch of a research and development project into development of advanced Open RAN integration infrastructure.
As part of this research and development project, Rakuten Mobile will collaborate with Rakuten Symphony to develop standardized Open RAN software, proof-of-concept (PoC) environment models and automated quality assurance systems for telecom operators.
Open RAN technology promises to reduce costs and enable construction of flexible networks with multi-vendor configurations. At the same time, the complexity of integration is also seen as a challenge due to the diverse requirements of telecom operators, countries and regions. Through this research, Rakuten Mobile aims to develop standardized Open RAN software and efficient quality assurance systems that will accommodate multiple different spectrum and other requirements of each individual telecom operator. By promoting efficiency and standardization, this enhanced Open RAN integration*2 will help businesses avoid dependence on specific vendors and contribute to a more robust supply chain.
Sharad Sriwastawa, Chief Technology Officer at Rakuten Mobile,
The successful rollout and operations of Rakuten Mobile’s world-first end-to-end virtualized network is already a clear demonstration to the world of the potential benefits of Open RAN technology, in terms of significant savings in capital expenditure, operating costs and the agility of our network in delivering on our customer needs and expectations for the future. This research and development project selected by NEDO ideally positions us to share these learnings and benefits with other telecom operators and their subscribers.
