NTT DOCOMO has announced its involvement in Open RAN verifications in the US as part of the ACCoRD (Acceleration of Compatibility and Commercialization for Open RAN Deployments) project, in collaboration with AT&T, Verizon, and Reliance Jio Infocomm. This collaboration received a grant of $42.3 million from the US Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on 12th February.
The consortium, which includes telecom operators, US universities, and suppliers, featuring equipment vendors from both the United States and internationally, aims to validate multi-vendor Open RAN connectivity to facilitate further commercial rollouts. With its rich history of multi-vendor interoperability since the 4G era and pioneering Open RAN deployments in 5G networks, DOCOMO is set to play a crucial role in achieving integration and interoperability among leading and emerging vendors alongside its consortium partners.
The grant is part of the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, established by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 in the United States, designed to promote open and interoperable solutions in the wireless communication equipment market. This initiative seeks to energise the ecosystem and provide funding for activities that support the verification, adoption, and deployment of such technologies and equipment.
Looking ahead, DOCOMO is committed to aiding operators in embracing Open RAN through this consortium and the company’s Open RAN service brand, OREX. OREX is a service provided by DOCOMO in partnership with multiple global vendors, offering tailored Open RAN solutions to meet the specific requirements of each customer.
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