Malaysia telco Axiata Group has partnered with Infosys, Parallel Wireless and Mavenir in a network transformation program that uses the Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN) as a key technology to enhance rural connectivity across several Asian countries
Axiata has already conducted successful OpenRAN pilots in Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, Mavenir is the global network solutions provider, Open RAN Parallel Wireless architecture specialist, while Infosys is the system integrator (SI) for project.
A large-scale commercial deployment is expected by year end.
To simulate non-ideal backhaul conditions, rural sites will be connected with microwave links and in some cases satellite, making this what Axiata claims as the first satellite backhaul powered OpenRAN deployment globally.
OpenRAN technology provides disaggregated RAN functionality built using open interface specifications between different elements. It can be implemented in vendor-neutral hardware and software-defined technology based on open interfaces and community-developed standards.
“OpenRAN is the future for mobile networks, and it will be critical for 4G expansion as well as the 5G evolution that Axita’s markets will soon embrace. The benefits of open networks will enable Axita to better serve rising connectivity needs across the region, especially in rural and underserved areas,” said Thomas Hundt, Axiata’s Group Executive Vice President – Technology.
“Our successful trials in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia prove that OpenRAN solutions enable greater operational and costs efficiencies using advanced technologies, whilst also meeting the needs for digital inclusion efforts across the region.”
On the infrastructure side, Axiata has implemented the Mavenir MAWair Open vRAN solution (virtualized RAN), including all G Open RAN, Packet Core and Mobile Network applications on selected sites.
