US Government makes $42M bet on open cell networks: Open RAN dream stays alive

The linked article is about the US government investing $42 million in the 5G Open RAN standard to allow wireless providers to mix and match cellular hardware and software, opening up a bigger market for third-party equipment that’s cheaper and interoperable. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grant would establish a Dallas O-RAN testing center to prove the standard’s viability as a way to head off Huawei’s steady cruise toward a global cellular network hardware monopoly. The standard aims to create more agile networks and faster build-outs. The grant is part of Biden’s priority point of discussion with global leaders in recent years and an attempt to dethrone Huawei as the world’s biggest supplier of cellular infrastructure gear.