\tTelefonica\u2019s O2 UK struck partnerships with a number of companies to help it deploy O-RAN technology, a move designed to improve network coverage across the country.<\/p>\n
In a statement, O2 said it was opening up its RAN to non-traditional partners Mavenir, Dense Air, Wavemobile and Real Wireless to exploit the possibilities of O-RAN, as it expects commercial deployments of the technology to pick up pace over the next 18 months to 24 months.<\/p>\n
Telefonica is a big advocate of O-RAN [1] and was one of the first members of the O-RAN Alliance, an industry consortium formed to foster open network architecture and standardised interfaces. Fellow European operator Vodafone Group is also heavily pushing O-RAN, with plans to hold a tender regarding deployment across its entire European footprint [2].<\/p>\n
O2 outlined how some of its partners will help it introduce O-RAN, a technology it believes will \u201chelp it define mobile network economics\u201d.<\/p>\n
With Mavenir, O2 said it will work to enhance coverage and capacity in high-density environments in London, with a specific focus on improving connectivity in stadiums and shopping centres.<\/p>\n
The partnership with Dense Air covers deploying O-RAN in 4G and 5G networks in a rural village.<\/p>\n
Wavemobile touted an active O-RAN network on several sites across the UK which carry mobile traffic for O2 customers, with the set-up due to be expanded to harder-to-reach locations in the future.<\/p>\n
O2 CTO Brendan O\u2019Reilly said O-RAN \u201crepresents a really exciting opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy opening up our radio access network to smaller vendors, and as we look towards wider adoption of 5G, O-RAN will be part of the solution to bring the latest connectivity to more people around the country.\u201d<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/latest-stories\/telefonica-and-vodafone-shake-up-ran-market\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/home-banner\/vodafone-offers-europe-up-to-openran\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Telefonica’s O2 UK struck partnerships with a number of companies to help it deploy O-RAN …<\/p>\n
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