Diversifying the supplier base

Diversifying the supplier base in the 5G Radio Access Network to boost the resilience or our network

Investments have focussed on developing the performance, economics and security of open interface solutions, so that they become competitive and viable for scale commercial deployments. This R&D programme is a key contributor to driving progress against the joint ambition between government and UK mobile operators to carry 35% of the UK’s mobile network over open and interoperable RAN architectures by 2030.

The programme has been specifically designed to target the following areas:

• Accelerating open-interface products and solutions – ensuring they are truly interoperable, performing and sustainable, supporting our long term vision for a more open and innovative telecoms market.

• Incentivising and removing risk from accelerated deployment in the UK - to encourage and accelerate network operators to adopt open network solutions.

• Developing an internationally recognised UK telecoms ecosystem - positioning the UK as a leading global market and focal point for research into open network technology.

Read the 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy

Current projects: Open Networks Ecosystem Competition

ON-SIDE

The ON-SIDE project will address key challenges associated with deploying private 5G StandAlone (SA) networks operating in Shared Access radio spectrum, such as obtaining suitable spectrum licences and affordability of kit, while supporting the UK government and Ofcom’s broader telecoms diversification and spectrum management strategies

Dorset Open Networks Ecosystem (DONE)

The Dorset Open Network Ecosystem (DONE) builds on the innovative work already undertaken by Dorset Council in collaboration with other consortium partners, including the multi-award winning 5G RuralDorset and Wessex Digital Infrastructure Accelerator (WDIA) projects

5G MoDE

5G MoDE (Mobile oRAN for highly Dense Environments), seeks to revolutionise how we manage dense mobile network traffic using oRAN

5G ONE4HDD

5G ONE4HDD aims to design and deploy a Mobile 'Cell on Wheels' (CoW) equipped with Open RAN (Radio Access Network) technology, offering reliable connectivity in crowded venues

FoFoRAN

Working from AMRC North-West in Blackburn, FoFoRAN will develop, test, and showcase flexible Open RAN deployment approaches for the manufacturing sector

BEACH

BEACH is a project to implement an energy-efficient shared mobile network in Worthing that adapts to rapid changes in user demand.

Reach (Blackpool)

Tourist hotspots drive significant volumes of mobile traffic, presenting a challenge to existing mobile technologies. The REACH project brings together an exciting group of partners to find new solutions to address this challenge by improving the delivery of data in High Density Demand (HDD) areas

Sunderland Open Network Ecosystem

The 'Sunderland Open Network EcosysTem' (SONET) Project is poised to transform the way we engage with live sports and esports. the project will showcase a highly efficient, state-of-the art High-Density Demand (HDD) Open RAN solution at the Stadium of Light and the new British Esports Arena, part of the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland

One Western O-RAN (Bath)

ONE WORD, the Open Networks Ecosystem Western Open RAN Deployment, will deploy a 5G Stand Alone RAN in four High Density Demand (HDD) scenarios; the City of Bath, around Cardiff’s Principality stadium, the historic Shelsley Walsh motorsport venue, and Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park

Navigate (London)

Project NAVIGATE aims to design, deploy, test and validate a blueprint for deploying open, shareable, public mobile 5G capacity in High Density Deployment (HDD) environments at scale, with Open RAN

HiPer-RAN

The HiPer-RAN (Highly Intelligent, Highly Performing RAN) project aims to develop an open platform able to host diverse, software-based intelligence that accounts for the whole RAN architecture

Liverpool City Region HDD

The Liverpool City Region HDD project aims to showcase the benefits of Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) technology in optimising real-world performance in high-connectivity environments

Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE)

The project will deliver a cutting-edge, multi-vendor 5G Open RAN neutral host platform catering for High Demand Density (HDD) locations

SCONDA

The SCONDA (Small Cells ORAN in Dense Areas) Project, seeks to address the unique technical and commercial challenges of High-Density Demand areas and will be the first in the world to integrate Open RAN and Traditional RAN in a high density, high demand environment handling live traffic

5G SWaP+C

The 5G SwaP-C project aims to revolutionise wireless communication technology by developing high-frequency and energy-efficient ultra wide band gap power amplifiers for massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems

ECO-TAP

The ECO-TAP project’s vision is to improve the energy efficiency of the networks that interconnect disaggregated servers in data centres (i.e., bespoke racks of only CPUs, or memory or network interface cards) by introducing a new Hybrid Cellular-Switched Topology

AURA

Project AURA (Agile Universal Radio Architecture) brings together a consortium to design a tightly integrated O-RU solution with an emphasis on flexibility to target different frequency bands and form factors, greater power efficiency, and with the goal to manufacture the product in the UK at competitive cost

ARIANE

As an extension of FRANC projects, ARIANE aims to test – under carrier grade conditions, the impact on an Open RAN network of multiple apps running individually and concurrently in a multi-RIC environment

PerceptRAN

PerceptRAN is engaged in identifying and addressing the primary challenges associated with Open RAN platform automation and security

Current projects: The UK/Republic of Korea (ROK) Open RAN R&D collaboration competition

Flexi-DAS

Flexi-DAS is developing highly flexible Distributed Antenna System (DAS) radio heads/units based on field-programmable flexible radio chipsets and Radio Frequency Identification cards

Current projects: Future Open Networks Research Challenge

YO-RAN

YO-RAN (Yorkshire Open RAN) brings together two leading Yorkshire universities with a number of suppliers and network operators to develop Open RAN components and a RIC for Neutral Host networks

REASON

Realising Enabling Architectures and Solutions for Open Networks (REASON) brings together an ecosystem representing the entire telecommunication R&D supply chain, including three major mobile network equipment vendors, with a mission to innovate, develop, and industrialise technologies and solutions for future 6G telecommunication networks

TUDOR

TUDOR (Towards Ubiquitous 3D Open Resilient Network) is aiming to tackle the digital divide and energy efficiency through advanced technology innovations in open telecommunications systems

Completed projects: Future RAN Competition

Proteus

Project Proteus is developing an Open RAN solution architecture that abstracts from the underlying hardware platform

CoMP-O-RAN

The Coordinated Multipoint Open Radio Access Network (CoMP-O-RAN) is deploying densified outdoor small cell clusters using 5G New Radios (NR) to complement existing mobile networks, reduce the cost-per-bit and deliver enhanced 5G network performance

BEACON-5G

BEACON-5G is developing a high performance Open RAN 5G system aligned with Open RAN framework and principles, focusing on reconfigurability, security, trustworthiness, and service architecture agility

OpenRAN ARTS

OpenRAN ARTS is developing a Future RAN Radio Test system, for use by 3rd party radio development vendors designing, building and testing 5G Future RAN radios

O-RANOS

O-RANOS is addressing key architectural and technological challenges for deploying end-to-end O-RAN multi-domain (private-public) interoperable network solutions

SONIC Labs

The SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre (SONIC) is delivering a facility for testing interoperability and integration of open networking solutions, starting with Open RAN

Towards AI Project

This project aims to realise a carrier-grade cloud solution, enabling operators to deploy Open RAN network functions easily and securely, with a focus on lowering the barrier to entry for new entrants

Scalable Optical Fronthaul for 5G OpenRAN

This project is developing ground-breaking, UK-made, scalable, cost-effective optical interface technology to enable dense roll out of optical fibre 5G radio access networks (RANs) with open digital interfaces for interoperability and low latency

Best of British RAN Development

The Best of British RAN Development project (BoB) is demonstrating a commercial and technically viable Radio Access Network architecture designed, developed and manufactured in the UK

Accelerating RAN Intelligence in 5G (ARI-5G)

This project is exploring interoperable architectures, validating the xAPP model for different software solutions on the RIC platform and promoting substantive advances in power and spectrum management

Energy-efficient Cloudlets for ORAN (ECORAN)

The ECORAN project aims to reduce the power consumption of the commodity hardware used by introducing novel ways of interconnecting and managing servers, accelerators, storage and interfaces in small processing cells (cloudlets)

Flex-5G

The Flexible, Efficient and High-Performance 5G Open RAN project is creating “Flex-5G”, a solution realising a complete 5G SA network similar in physical appearance to a large computer that could be installed, for example, in premises such as a factory, office or even your home

Secure 5G Platform using Novel, Efficient Wideband PA

This project is developing a unique and novel 5G O-RAN platform able to provide better efficiency, higher security and a wide frequency range enabling it to be ready for future 5G bands

ORanGaN

ORanGaN is working to develop a sovereign UK supply chain, manufacturing processes, and packaging solutions, for radio frequency gallium nitride (RF-GaN) devices

5G DRIVE

This project is developing a 5G Open & Diversified RAN Integration solution for private mobile networks, that is low cost, secure, and capable of integrating with public networks

UK 5G DU-Volution

5G DU-Volution is promoting the integration of growing RAN suppliers at all levels of the architecture, in both software and hardware, of one of the most challenging RAN components: the Distributed Unit

NeutrORAN

The project is testing and demonstrating a multiple operator, neutral host solution using an Open RAN ecosystem

Current projects: Other

SONIC Labs

The SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre (SONIC) is delivering a facility for testing interoperability and integration of open networking solutions, starting with Open RAN

UKTL

The UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) is the government’s state-of-the-art telecoms facility based in Solihull. It aims to: raise standards in telecoms security and interoperability by enhancing expertise and capability of testing services in the telecoms industry; provide a near representative laboratory capability for security experts to work on new and existing technologies; reduce barriers to entry for new vendors, encouraging supply chain diversification and innovation; nurture telecoms and cyber skills nationwide as a national capability; help drive innovation for UK industry.

Case studies

Case studies

llustrating the value of the Digital Infrastructure (DI) directorate interventions, through showcasing the stories behind the projects, partners and people involved.
Maria from WeaverLabs

The BEACH Project

The Towards AI Project

Liverpool City Region HDD

Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE)

Dorset Open Networks Ecosystem (DONE)

Best of British RAN Development

ON-SIDE
Thematic and explainers

Thematic and explainers

Highlighting key topics in Digital Infrastructure including the value of collaboration and the future of Telecoms.
UKTIN hosted an event on behalf of DSIT to provide an opportunity for potential consortium partners to learn more about the recently announced Open Networks Ecosystem competition, and to bring together interested parties to aid collaboration opportunities. Below is a recording of that event.

Read UKTIN's highlights from the Open Networks Ecosystem Briefing Event
Announcements and outcomes

Announcements and outcomes

Sharing key announcements from the Digital Infrastructure (DI) Directorate and benefits shared from government-funded projects.
88 million research and development boost
UK Republic of Korea digital partnership
DC Sonic Labs Report
Industry engagement

Industry engagement

Showcasing the importance of collaboration which involves holding regular events and meetings with key industry stakeholders, sitting on various group advisory boards and wider involvement in industry.

Case studies

Case studies

llustrating the value of the Digital Infrastructure (DI) directorate interventions, through showcasing the stories behind the projects, partners and people involved.
Maria from WeaverLabs

The BEACH Project

The Towards AI Project

Liverpool City Region HDD

Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE)

Dorset Open Networks Ecosystem (DONE)

Best of British RAN Development

ON-SIDE
Thematic and explainers

Thematic and explainers

Highlighting key topics in Digital Infrastructure including the value of collaboration and the future of Telecoms.
UKTIN hosted an event on behalf of DSIT to provide an opportunity for potential consortium partners to learn more about the recently announced Open Networks Ecosystem competition, and to bring together interested parties to aid collaboration opportunities. Below is a recording of that event.

Read UKTIN's highlights from the Open Networks Ecosystem Briefing Event
Announcements and outcomes

Announcements and outcomes

Sharing key announcements from the Digital Infrastructure (DI) Directorate and benefits shared from government-funded projects.
88 million research and development boost
UK Republic of Korea digital partnership
DC Sonic Labs Report
Industry engagement

Industry engagement

Showcasing the importance of collaboration which involves holding regular events and meetings with key industry stakeholders, sitting on various group advisory boards and wider involvement in industry.