Report
Executive Summary
The 5G MoDE project aimed to validate the deployment of an Open RAN solution in a High-Demand Density (HDD) environment, demonstrating its feasibility as a competitive alternative to Tier 1 vendors. Funded by DSIT under the Open Network Ecosystem Competition (ONE), the project successfully transitioned from lab validation (TRL 4) to public demonstration (TRL 6) within six months—an exceptional achievement given that comparable projects typically take years.
The project’s key milestones included validating the technology in a controlled lab environment, developing a temporary site, and testing the system’s deployment, processes, and personnel during the Autumn Internationals at Twickenham. This culminated in the live deployment of a real-world test site at Twickenham Stadium, with the expectation of successfully carrying live customer traffic during a Six Nations match on the 9th of March 2025. While initial plans aimed to cover multiple events, the successful deployment at Twickenham has validated the solution’s readiness and demonstrated Open RAN’s viability in high-demand environments.
Prof David Owens,
Head of technical trials - Virgin Media O2
31.03.2025
