With a role that included end-to-end testing and interoperability verification, NEC helped to define a customised Open RAN architecture, optimised and adapted to the requirements of the O2 mobile network.
Taking on the role of system integrator during the trial, NEC coordinated the overall design of the system, which it said delivered "a solid end-to-end solution".
It was also an opportunity for NEC to showcase its new Centre of Excellence, where the trial was conducted running via O2’s core network.
Derek McManus, COO of O2 said: “The partnership between NEC and O2 promises to accelerate the provision and growth of Open RAN solutions in the UK. O2 will continue to transform our network through collaboration and the optimisation of new technologies such as Open RAN.”
McManus was one of a number of people representing the UK's mobile industry as the Telecoms Security Bill was debated in the British parliament last year and ORAN had a moment in the spotlight.
At the time he said the technology was "relatively immature in its development", but had the potential to change operator/ supplier relationships.
He added: "ORAN today is set up with a quite separate and different supply chain, with different companies specialising in software, different companies specialising in hardware and specialists doing the integration. It is likely to change the nature and relationship that we will have with suppliers.”
Confirming this latest trial in a press alert today, O2 said its recent work built on earlier progress in developing Open RAN technologies over the past 12 months.
In January last year, O2 announced a range of Open RAN projects to help its customers better utilise its network, and its parent company, Telefonica, is playing an active role in Open RAN networks.
Telefonica announced earlier last year its intention to launch 4G and 5G Open RAN trials in Germany, Spain and Brazil, as well as building on early success in the UK.
Mayuko Tatewaki, GM of the service provider solutions division at NEC Corporation, said: “We are extremely excited to be driving this journey on the home ground of our Open RAN Center of Excellence in the UK. Through close collaboration with O2, we are honoured to contribute to the diversification and innovation of network transformation.”
