Axiata to Commercialize Open RAN Infrastructure to Boost Connectivity in Asia

On Sunday, Axiata Group Berhad said that it will leverage Open RAN as a key technology for mobile networks across Asia. This will allow the company to narrow the digital divide and enhance rural connectivity.

Successful Open RAN Tests Conducted by Axiata Across 3 Countries

The company has already conducted successful tests in Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka on Open RAN. The company partnered with Mavenir and Parallel wireless for network solutions and Infosys as systems integrator. It added that it was able to deploy Mavenir's MAVair Open vRAN solution across the three countries.

Also, the company said that it has connected the test sites with non-ideal backhaul and satellite to simulate such conditions. In that regard, it has created the world's first satellite backhaul powered Open vRAN sites. The company also achieved commercial service integration with TIP's Evenstar 4G Radio via Mavenir's solution. With Parallel Wireless' solutions, the company also installed 2G and 4G tech on some radio units. This move will allow Axiata to improve network efficiency and reduce costs for telcos. The company deployed application on its OpenStack cloud infrastructure.

Further, the company added that it had achieved seamless user experience. Also, it said that now it will deploy the network commercially across rural, suburban and urban environments.

Axiata to Aim Network Transformation with Open RAN Solutions

Thomas Hundt, EVP – Technology, Axiata Group, said, "Open RAN is the future for mobile networks, and it will be critical for 4G expansions as well as the 5G evolution that Axiata's markets will soon embrace".

He added, "the benefits from open networks will enable Axiata to better serve rising connectivity needs across the region." He further said this will work especially well in rural and underserved areas. Hundt also said that his company will work on fully automated infrastructure to boost O-RAN ecosystem in Asia.

Pardeep Kohli, President and CEO, Mavenir, said, "Mavenir is delighted to work with Axiata on their radio network transformation initiative and to achieve excellent results in the live everyday environment, proving the extreme flexibility of Open vRAN".

Keith Johnson, President, Parallel Wireless said, "we are honored to partner with Axiata, replacing their incumbent vendors equipment with our leading-edge Open RAN Solution to enable 2G and 4G broadband services in Sri Lanka and other Axiata subsidiaries".

Anand Swaminathan, EVP & Global Industry Leader, Communications, Media & Technology, Infosys, said, "Open RAN is transforming the wireless architecture and is enabling telecom operators to be more competitive and innovative, while providing them flexibility in RAN component suppliers' ecosystem".