Notice

UK and Mobile Network Operators' memorandum of understanding on Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions and Open RAN principles

Published 14 September 2023

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-ran-principles-memorandum-of-understanding-between-government-and-industry/uk-and-mobile-network-operators-memorandum-of-understanding-on-radio-access-network-ran-solutions-and-open-ran-principles

On [14 September 2023] the UK government, as represented by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), along with Mobile UK, representing BT Group plc, Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone Group plc, issued the following joint statement on developing Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions adherent to the Open RAN principles.

Given the UK’s recent substantial investment in the Open Networks Ecosystem competition, it’s an opportune moment to restate our joint ambition between government and industry. We continue to support the development and deployment of RAN solutions which adhere to the Open RAN principles in order to enhance competition and innovation, helping to improve the security and resilience of critical network infrastructure. The UK government and MNOs are working towards an ambition for, in aggregate, 35% of the UK’s network traffic to be carried over open and interoperable RAN architectures by 2030.

Last year saw the announcement of the Open RAN principles, published by the UK government on [29 April 2022]. The Open RAN principles set the foundation for government support for the development of open and interoperable RAN solutions, while providing clarity on the characteristics that Open RAN should possess in order to fulfil its potential. The 4 principles are:

  1. Open disaggregation, allowing elements of the RAN to be sourced from different suppliers and implemented in new ways
  2. Standards-based compliance, allowing all suppliers to test solutions against standards in an open, neutral environment
  3. Demonstrated interoperability, ensuring disaggregated elements work together as a fully functional system – at a minimum matching the performance and security of current solutions
  4. Implementation neutrality, allowing suppliers to innovate and differentiate on the features and performance of their products

This joint statement between the UK government and the MNOs sets out the initiatives that all parties – government and industry – can play to guide our shared efforts on supporting the development and deployment of RAN solutions in line with the Open RAN principles. All parties will aim to ensure transparent communication and cooperation to support this goal, including through their participation on the Telecommunications Supply Chain Diversification Advisory Council[footnote 1].

MNOs will endeavour to:

  • deploy open and interoperable RAN solutions in line with the Open RAN principles
  • in proportion with MNO capability, help make progress towards the UK’s ambition for 35% of traffic to pass over open and interoperable equipment by 2030
  • continue to engage in DSIT Research and Development (R&D) programmes, through both active roles and supplying spectrum where appropriate
  • undertake their own programmes of R&D and/or trials to continue to build the open ecosystem in the UK
  • work collaboratively with DSIT in the spirit of shared actions to a shared challenge

To support industry, DSIT will endeavour to:

  • continue to seek opportunities to support industry R&D, driven by the needs of network operators and builders which aid and accelerate the development of carrier-grade RAN solutions adherent to the Open RAN principles
  • maintain testing laboratories to provide interoperability and security facilities for vendors, as well as ensuring laboratories assess against baseline expectations driven by all operators
  • use the Open RAN principles as a clear and transparent definition when measuring or assessing the rollout of open and interoperable RAN solutions

  1. Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification Advisory Council ↩

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