Vodafone And Intel's Ambitious Endeavor Faces The Open RAN Adoption Hurdle

Vodafone Group Plc VOD has reaffirmed its dedication to Open RAN networks by collaborating with Intel Corp INTC to develop a specialized chipset architecture for the emerging technology. The telecom giant has also successfully conducted its inaugural 4G calls using Open RAN on network sites it shares with Orange ORAN in Romania. Furthermore, a partnership with Nokia Corp NOK is underway to trial the technology in Italy.

Open RAN enhances the flexibility of mobile operators by allowing them to integrate equipment from various suppliers. However, the adoption of this technology has been gradual, with companies like Ericsson  ERIC, Nokia, and Huawei Technologies Co. still dominating the market with their proprietary solutions, Reuters reports.

In 2022, Vodafone committed to collaborating with U.S. chipmaker Intel to explore the possibility of designing its unique chip architecture. Santiago Tenorio, Vodafone's director of network architecture, revealed that the partnership aims to create chipsets at its Malaga campus in Spain, the report added. These chipsets will be accessible to smaller third-party vendors, enabling them to test their algorithms without significant investment in silicon.

Tenorio emphasized that the capability to produce silicon designs in testing sample quantities would expedite innovation delivery. The collaboration between Vodafone's networking expertise and Intel's prowess in silicon architecture design will facilitate rapid prototyping, verification, and testing, leading to the accelerated mass production of essential chips.

In a joint venture, Vodafone and Orange have accomplished 4G calls over a group of sites in a rural area near Bucharest, utilizing Open RAN technology. The pilot involved hardware and software supplied by Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd SSNLF, Wind River, and Dell Technologies Inc DELL.

Price Actions: VOD shares traded higher by 0.91% at $9.40 and INTC shares traded lower by 1.46% at $35.66 on the last check Monday.

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