Vodafone launches UK network technology tests
Vodafone on Monday said its British tests of open radio access networks (OpenRAN) technology could aid the company in becoming a major supplier of mobile network equipment to telecom operators.
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Huawei, Ericsson and Nokia are currently the dominant forces in the mobile network equipment market, but the telecoms giant said more suppliers would increase flexibility and innovation, as well as helping to address cost challenges that limit the delivery of internet services to rural communities and remote places across the world.
The FTSE 100 company said OpenRAN, which is also being trialled in Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique following lab testing in South Africa and Turkey, can allow people in the world's most rural communities to connect to the internet and make mobile calls using standardised and low cost equipment.
The tests in the UK represent the first time the technology has been trialled in a developed market, as well as an ahead of schedule introduction to a first European nation.
Trial sites will provide customers with 2G, 3G and 4G services, with 5G possible over OpenRAN in the future.
Vodafone will now work with vendors including Parallel Wireless, Mavenir, and Lime Microsystems to supply its OpenRAN technology.
Nick Read, chief executive of Vodafone, said: "We are pleased with trials of OpenRAN and are ready to fast track it into Europe as we seek to actively expand our vendor ecosystem. OpenRAN improves the network economics enabling us to reach more people in rural communities and that supports our goal to build digital societies in which no-one is left behind."
Vodafone shares were down 0.18% at 157.57p at 0804 BST.