How Open RAN can drive 5G diversification

Accelerating the adoption of Open RAN (Radio Access Network) technology has the potential to drive innovation in telecoms and diversify the UK 5G supply chain so it is fit for the future and more accessible for new market entrants. But what makes a network “open” and how open should networks be?

This online event is an opportunity to understand how to get involved in SONIC Labs - a cutting-edge Open RAN integration and interoperability lab and a key government funded initiative run by Digital Catapult and Ofcom.

In the session you can also expect to learn more about Open RAN principles, published by DCMS, and the benefits of an open network from voices across the industry. Discover the opportunities and challenges the technology brings, with the chance to ask questions to key contacts across the ecosystem.

Why attend

This event will provide attendees with the opportunity to:

• Learn how to get involved in the UK’s 5G diversification strategy
• Understand how to get involved in the next phases of SONIC Labs integration and interoperability testing
• Understand the benefits of participating in the 5G diversification strategy
• Learn about what industry and regulators think makes an open network
• Learn about the challenges of multi-vendor RAN deployments and how to mitigate them
• Learn how to access a cutting-edge integration and interoperability lab for free

Who should attend

This event focuses on 5G networks, diversification and open networks, and in particular it will be of interest to:

• Companies with Open RAN products, solutions and services in development who seek integration with others
• Startups and scaleups developing early stage Open RAN products looking for ways to mature and improve their offers and find routes to market
• Companies looking to collaborate on Open RAN, 5G integration and interoperability with SONIC Labs and with each other
• Businesses evaluating the adoption of Open RAN technologies

Organisations within the telecoms and wider ecosystem who should consider attending include:

• Mobile and private network operators of all sizes
• RAN and wireless infrastructure providers
• System integrators
• Test and measurement product and service providers
• Open RAN and 5G organisations
• Government and public organisations
• Universities and research organisations

Agenda

10:00 - Welcome and Introduction

Linda Ligios, Senior Innovation Partner - Digital Catapult

10:05 - Ofcom and SONIC Labs

Simon Burley, Programme Director, Connectivity - Ofcom

10:15 - Open RAN Systems Integration approach

James Grayling, Head of ORAN Product Integration and Performance - Vodafone

10:20 - DCMS Open RAN Principles: Recap and Next Steps

David Taylor, Senior Policy Advisor, Telecoms - DCMS

10:30 - Panel discussion: How open should networks be?

Chair: Paul Ceely, Director of Technology Strategy - Digital Catapult

• Abdel Bagegni, Technical Programme Manager - TIP
• David Taylor, Senior Policy Advisor, Telecoms - DCMS
• James Grayling, Head of ORAN Product Integration and Performance - Vodafone
• Michael McGroarty, Business Development Manager, Open vRAN & Private Connectivity - VMware

11:00 - Q&A from the audience

11:10 - Panel discussion: Real world deployment of Open RAN

Chair: Linda Ligios, Senior Innovation Partner - Digital Catapult

• Tom Bennett, CTO - Freshwave
• Simon Burley, Programme Director, Connectivity - Ofcom
• Artur Chmielewski, Director of Business Development - IS Wireless
• Gary Collins, General Manager, Head of Sales - NEC UK

11:40 - Q&A from the audience

11:50 - How to get involved in SONIC Labs Cohort 2

Sarah Aitchison, Innovation Partner - Digital Catapult

12:00 - End

About the programme

For more information about the programme, please visit https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/how-we-can-help/what-we-offer/programme/sonic/