Digital Catapult and Ofcom Launch UK Open RAN Testing Facilities – SONIC Labs

Digital Catapult and Ofcom have today opened a new testing facility for Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN) technology, which is funded by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and hopes to push forward the rollout of new O-RAN based 4G and 5G mobile networks.

The O-RAN approach seeks to standardise the design and functionality of radio access hardware and software, thus increasing the number of companies able to supply operators via vendor-neutral hardware and software-defined technology (the RAN side covers infrastructure, masts and antennae). This may also help to cut costs and removes the necessity to depend upon the largest suppliers of such kit (e.g. Nokia and Ericsson).

All of the major UK mobile network operators are currently preparing O-RAN solutions for the future and have even agreed to a “joint ambition” with the government, which will see 35% of the UK’s mobile network traffic being carried over O-RAN by 2030 (here). But Vodafone is the only operator to have started a solid large-scale commercial build (here, here and here) – mostly focused upon rural parts of England and Wales.

The new lab at Kings Cross in London will aim to drive all of this forward by providing a commercially-neutral, collaborative environment for the testing and integration of O-RAN network solution. The SONIC Labs programme will thus also support the UK government’s 5G Telecoms Diversification Supply Chain Strategy.

Julia Lopez, Digital Infrastructure Minister, said:

“Our £250 million investment in facilities like SONIC Labs is boosting competition in the telecoms market and driving the development of new mobile technology.

These new facilities are another example of how the UK is at the forefront of telecoms innovation, supporting our diversification strategy by boosting business and growing the economy.”

Multiple vendors are already said to be carrying out end-to-end Interoperability, performance and scalability testing in the dedicated purpose-built space with modern testing and lab infrastructure. So far, a total of 15 vendors and 36 Open RAN products have collaborated with SONIC Labs, signifying the largest concentration of Open RAN vendors coming together to collaborate in a commercially neutral environment in the UK, with reach to additional companies set to expand even further in the coming months.