The project will deliver a cutting-edge, multi-vendor 5G Open RAN neutral host platform catering for High Demand Density (HDD) locations.
Total project funding amount: £6,523,645
Project date(s): -
Category: Government Funded
Location(s): Cambridge (Deployment) & London (Lab Testing)
Status: Open
Partners
- Connecting Cambridgeshire (on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council)
- AWTG
- Benetel
- Ontix
- Wolfram
- University of Surrey
- University of Cambridge
Project Summary
The project will deliver a cutting-edge, multi-vendor 5G Open RAN neutral host platform catering for High Demand Density (HDD) locations. The primary objective of this project is to cultivate technical expertise and gain invaluable implementation insights with the ambition to accelerate the deployment of 5G in similar regions across the UK.
This network will serve as a dynamic testing ground to develop and trial enhanced interoperability of hardware and software in HDD environments with the ambition of demonstrating how the costs of implementation can be reduced and simplified. The project seeks to stimulate innovation and encourage new players to enter the UK market by proving Open RAN in a real-world HDD test environment. The project team will work in partnership with mobile network operators in order to deliver these mutual ambitions.
By supporting the development of novel software including xApps, rApps & RIS to test the optimisation capabilities of Open RAN, integrating devices including radio units into an Open RAN environment, and delivering community-oriented products such as an Augmented Reality experience that will both test the data handling capabilities of Open RAN and support the local tourism industry, the project will support the drive to diversify the 5G Open RAN Hardware & Software supply chain in the UK.
The Connecting Cambridgeshire team is excited to lead this transformative project on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, and the rest of the consortium, that will unlock new opportunities, propel innovation, and reinforce the UK’s position at the forefront of Open RAN technology exploration.
Councillor Lorna Dupré, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, which oversees the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme, said:
“Cambridgeshire County Council’s digital connectivity programme Connecting Cambridgeshire is proud to be leading this highly qualified consortium, comprising next-generation infrastructure service providers, technology developers, mobile network operators, renowned research universities and market-leading equipment manufacturers.
All partners in the consortium believe that 5G is a crucial catalyst for enhancing productivity and fostering economic growth within our county. This project provides a unique opportunity to experiment with and trial innovative 5G technologies within the high demand, densely populated areas of Cambridgeshire to address mobile coverage and capacity opportunities and challenges for the wider region going forward.”
Organisations participating in this project
Benetel
Benetel is delivering 5G ORAN Radio Units (O-RUs) to Communication Service Providers and Private Networks, with products deployable today.
This open and disaggregated RAN is the cornerstone of next-generation mobile network infrastructure. Benetel works with leading players and open initiatives, such as the O-RAN ALLIANCE, the OpenAirInterface Software Alliance (OSA), and Telecom Infra Project (TIP) to provide 5G RUs over fronthaul networks that work with virtualized baseband units from several vendors.
Together with our partners, Benetel forms advanced e2e connectivity solutions fit for the modern era.
University of Surrey
The University of Surrey enhance their research excellence and scale to be recognised internationally as a leading research university.
Ontix Ltd
Ontix: infrastructure as a service.
University of Cambridge
The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through education, learning and research at the highest international level.
Wolfram Research Europe Ltd
As the creators of Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha, and Wolfram GPT? , Wolfram Research has been pioneering scientific innovation for over three decades. Wolfram technology has long been a component of intelligent assistants and other AI systems, delivering tools for R&D, education, enterprise and consumer applications.