On November 10, Orange inaugurated the first laboratory dedicated to Open RAN (Open Radio Access Networks) in France. This centre, a test and integration space, will enable companies in the Open Ran ecosystem, the reference technology for future mobile networks, to test and validate their products. The laboratory, which uses Samsung and Nokia equipment, is located at the Orange Gardens in Châtillon (92) and can be accessed remotely. This test space will enable Orange to experiment with Open RAN technology to validate the products and services it will implement in the future for its mobile network. These new facilities are labelled OTIC (Open Testing and Integration Center) by the O-RAN Alliance, of which Orange is a founder. In addition to Samsung and Nokia, Dell will join the initiative for open infrastructure and Intel for platforms, processors and acceleration technologies.

Open RAN, the mobile network technology of the future

A radio access network (RAN) is a major component of a wireless or fibre-based telecommunications system that connects individual devices to a central network that manages subscriber information, such as location. Traditional radio access networks consist of hardware and software integrated by a single vendor and have closed-loop hardware and software interfaces. Open RAN technology opens up these networks to different suppliers and equipment manufacturers, improving their quality of service and operation, and reducing deployment and operating costs. Their greater flexibility will allow them to be adapted to market changes and customer needs. It is also based on generic computer servers and incorporates artificial intelligence into its operating principles. This technology is currently being specified and developed, but Orange is not hesitating to invest in this "major technology for the mobile networks of the future".

Europe's fourth laboratory dedicated to Open RAN technology

Orange has been working for several years alongside numerous operators and suppliers to create the open networks of tomorrow, based on virtualisation and automation, of which Open RANs are a part. After a phase focused on technical specifications, Orange now wishes to contribute to the development phase of interoperable multi-vendor Open RAN technical solutions. This laboratory, the first to be dedicated to Open RAN technology in France and thefourth in Europe, has received the OTIC (Open Testing and Integation Center) label from the O-RAN Alliance, of which Orange is a founding member. Several partners, developers of Open RAN hardware or software, will test their products in this new laboratory, including :
  • AMPHENOL : antenna supplier
  • AW2S SERMA : supplier of radio products
  • BENETEL: supplier of radio products
  • CELLWIZE: RAN-SMO and Non RT platform RIC: open infrastructure provider
  • INTEL: provider of platforms, processors and acceleration technologies
  • DELL: open infrastructure provider
  • KEYSIGHT: provider of advanced testing and validation solutions
  • NOKIA: RAN provider
Michaël Trabbia, executive director of technology and innovation at Orange concludes:
"With the creation of this Open RAN integration center, open to our partners around the world, we want to accelerate the development of an open, intelligent, cloud-based RAN and a rich ecosystem around Open RAN, especially in Europe. From 2025, our ambition is to deploy only Open RAN equipment in Europe. "
Translated from Orange a inauguré le premier laboratoire français Open RAN

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