Vodafone UK claims to have become the first British mobile network operator (MNO) to switch on a live Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN) 4G site. In a press release regarding the development, the MNO revealed that the new OpenRAN site is connecting customers around the Royal Welsh Showground in Powys, Wales, with Mavenir supporting Vodafone UK with the deployment.
With its first OpenRAN site now live, Vodafone UK has said it will begin work to identify communities across the UK where they can more economically introduce voice and high speed data using the new technology. Commenting, Scott Petty, Vodafone UK’s CTO, said: ‘This is our first live OpenRAN site in the UK, and that’s an important milestone. This new approach has the ability to make us less dependent on current larger technology suppliers, and find ways to reduce the cost of rolling out mobile coverage. OpenRAN can also help close the digital divide between urban and rural Britain.’