Vodafone Idea has embarked on a pioneering open radio access network (Open RAN) pilot in collaboration with solutions provider Mavenir. The deployment, initiated in September 2022 across key sites, is now handling live commercial traffic as the partners gear up for larger-scale Open RAN 5G rollout.
Open RAN
The pilot marks the first O-RAN compliant deployment for Vodafone Idea leveraging mmWave and sub-6 GHz spectrum. It comes as the cash-strapped carrier pursues open and interoperable alternatives to traditional network architectures as a pathway to cost-efficient 5G deployment.
Affordable 5G
Unlike rivals Jio and Airtel using legacy Nokia and Ericsson 5G gear, Vodafone Idea is betting on Open RAN to introduce supplier diversity and software-driven efficiencies. The open, disaggregated model is expected to lower capital and operating costs over time compared to reliance on a single vendor.
Funding Efforts
Vodafone Idea CTO Jagbir Singh emphasized Open RAN’s potential transformation of networks via open interfaces and contributions across a wider hardware and software ecosystem.
The announcement of the successful Open RAN pilot comes at a pivotal time for Vodafone Idea. The telecom operator has been struggling financially and is in desperate need of external investment. Vodafone Idea’s board has called a meeting on February 27th to evaluate proposals for raising much-needed funds.
The company stated that options ranging from rights issues to private equity placement will be reviewed as the joint venture between Vodafone Group and Aditya Birla Group continues ongoing efforts to bring on board an outside investor.
Mavenir President BG Kumar noted his company’s commitment to building India’s Open RAN ecosystem and equipping operators like Vodafone Idea to offer innovative and cost-competitive next-generation network solutions.
Conclusion
The Open RAN pilot with Mavenir represents a small but promising first step in Vodafone Idea’s journey towards sustainable 5G deployment. The opex and capex efficiencies of open architecture could provide financial breathing room for the struggling operator to competitively roll out next-generation services.
But the success of open technologies at scale remains unproven versus established vendors like Huawei. And the fate of Vodafone Idea’s 5G ambitions still largely hinges on urgently securing outside investment. While the road ahead has uncertainties, Vodafone Idea also recognizes the transformative benefits that could come from spurring an open 5G ecosystem.
Its continuation as the prepared third horse in India’s telecom race may largely depend on the win-win partnerships and cost innovations promised by initiatives like the Mavenir collaboration.
