What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Rakuten Symphony has announced a partnership with Grameenphone, a leading Bangladeshi telecom operator, to pilot an Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) in Bangladesh. This initiative marks one of the first deployments of Open RAN technology in South Asia. The pilot network will incorporate 4G and 5G non-Standalone (NSA) sites, representing the initial phase of a broader nationwide Open RAN rollout across Grameenphone's network, which serves approximately 86 million mobile subscribers. Rakuten Symphony will provide essential infrastructure, including Centralised Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) systems, 4G/5G Radio Units, and its Operations Support System (OSS) solutions. According to Rakuten Symphony president Sharad Sriwastawa, this collaboration underscores their vision for the future of telecommunications.
Why It's Important?
The deployment of Open RAN technology is significant as it represents a shift towards more flexible and cost-effective network solutions. Open RAN allows operators to use hardware and software from different vendors, potentially reducing costs and increasing innovation. For Grameenphone, this pilot could enhance network efficiency and service quality, benefiting its large subscriber base. The collaboration also highlights Rakuten Symphony's strategic expansion into South Asia, potentially influencing other regional operators to adopt similar technologies. This move could accelerate the global adoption of Open RAN, impacting the telecommunications industry by fostering competition and technological advancement.
What's Next?
Following the pilot phase, Grameenphone plans to expand the Open RAN deployment across its entire network. This expansion will likely involve further collaboration with Rakuten Symphony and other technology partners to ensure seamless integration and operation. The success of this pilot could prompt other telecom operators in South Asia to consider Open RAN solutions, potentially leading to a broader regional shift in network infrastructure strategies. Stakeholders, including telecom companies and technology providers, will be closely monitoring the outcomes to assess the feasibility and benefits of Open RAN in large-scale deployments.
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