BMVI launches funding for projects to test the Open RAN standard

To promote new innovative network technologies in the mobile communications sector, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is supporting companies in the development and testing of new, software-controlled network technologies in accordance with the Open RAN standard. To this end, the BMVI has now launched the first research projects funded by the Corona Economic Stimulus Package.

• The BMVI is supporting the establishment of an Open RAN Lab with around 17 million euros (project duration until 2024).
• The BMVI is supporting two pilot projects in Open RAN Cities with around 11.5 million euros.
• The BMVI is supporting a research project for an “Open RAN Ecosystem” with around 2.5 million euros.

A total of 300 million euros will be available in the coming years to promote the new software-supported network technology in Germany and to support the development of a separate, independent manufacturing industry. Open RAN makes it possible to decouple hardware and software in the mobile network from each other and thus to build or modernize networks more flexibly and independently of individual component manufacturers. Open RAN is also particularly important for the digitalization of business and industry. Open RAN can also be an important driver for the construction of 5G campus networks due to the high degree of individualization of the network architecture. Further information on the funded Open RAN projects can be found in the funding announcement published by the BMVI.