The United States government, led by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has allocated a budget of $42 million to telecommunications companies and several universities for the development of Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN) technology. O-RAN is a standard for open telecommunications network equipment that allows for collaboration between multiple companies.
Open RAN is a concept of developing new-generation network technology that differs from the traditional approach of each company developing their own solutions. Instead, it introduces a common specification that enables devices from different companies to work together. This effort by the US government is seen as a means to reduce dependence on network equipment from Chinese brands, such as Huawei, which raises concerns about security.
Leading operators in this project include AT&T and Verizon from the United States, alongside international operators NTT DOCOMO from Japan and Reliance Jio from India. They are joined by several universities, including The University of Texas at Dallas responsible for testing 5G O-RAN in the Dallas metropolitan area. Additionally, numerous network equipment and software companies are participating, such as Nokia, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Samsung, Dell, Intel, Rakuten, Cisco, Microsoft, and Red Hat.
This consortium of partners is officially known as Acceleration of Compatibility and Commercialization for Open RAN Deployments (ACCoRD).
TLDR: The US government, through the NTIA, has allocated $42 million to develop Open RAN technology, a new approach to networking that allows for collaboration between different companies. This aims to reduce reliance on Chinese network equipment and involves leading operators, universities, and various network equipment and software companies. The initiative is known as ACCoRD.
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