Press Release | 06 Aug 2020

Vodafone becomes first UK mobile operator to switch on live OpenRAN site

  • OpenRAN technology paves the way for faster roll-out of remote rural mobile coverage using alternative technology partners.
  • Vodafone site switched on at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, Powys.

Vodafone has become the first UK mobile operator to switch on a live Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN) 4G site enabling the introduction of more suppliers for mobile networks. The first site is connecting Vodafone customers around the Royal Welsh Showground in Powys, Wales.

Mobile network operators traditionally have very few suppliers to choose from, and greater diversity is essential. OpenRAN is a new way of building a mobile site.

Instead of being reliant on heavily-customised hardware available from only a few vendors, the capabilities of the mobile site are hosted as software in the cloud, with readily-available, low-cost hardware at the site. The approach reduces cost, increases flexibility and enables new suppliers to support the roll-out of mobile networks across the UK. Mavenir is supporting Vodafone with the deployment at the Royal Welsh Showground.

With the first OpenRAN site now live, Vodafone will work to identify communities across the UK where they can more economically introduce voice and high-speed data using the new technology.

photo of Builth Wells in Powys
Builth Wells, home of Vodafone UK’s first OpenRAN mast.

Scott Petty, CTO, Vodafone UK, said: “This is our first live OpenRAN site in the UK, and that’s an important milestone. This new approach has the ability to make us less dependent on current larger technology suppliers, and find ways to reduce the cost of rolling out mobile coverage. OpenRAN can also help close the digital divide between urban and rural Britain.”

Matt Warman, Digital Infrastructure Minister, said: “OpenRAN gives mobile companies the flexibility to use multiple suppliers in their 4G and 5G networks. This is vital to help the market grow, build resilience and give people fast, reliable and secure internet connections wherever they live and work.

“I congratulate Vodafone on its first live OpenRAN site in the UK that will benefit people in Powys. This technology can make a real difference in improving connectivity in rural communities and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Vodafone and other operators on our plans to diversify the telecoms supply chain.”

photo of Builth Wells in Wales
The Powys town of Builth Wells, the location of Vodafone UK’s first OpenRAN mast.

Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “It’s great to see the UK’s first OpenRAN site switched on here in Wales, and in a rural area. It will bring improved connectivity, not only for the showground but also for the wider community. It can only be of benefit to open up the network to more suppliers and I welcome this development.”

Steve Hughson, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “We have worked hard in recent years to improve the connectivity on site, in recognition of the need to provide a modern event venue where people can trade and communicate at speed. This site and further network improvements planned are key in our ambition of creating one of the best connected rural event sites in the UK.”

Today’s announcement builds on a number of recent Vodafone initiatives to extend 4G and 5G services to rural communities. These include launching the UK’s first Shared Rural Network (SRN) site in Wales, and connecting residents in rural Scotland under the Scottish 4G Infill Programme.

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Note to Editors

About Mavenir – Mavenir is the industry’s only end-to-end, cloud-native network software provider. Focused on accelerating software network transformation and redefining network economics for Communications Service Providers (CSPs) by offering a comprehensive end-to-end product portfolio across every layer of the network infrastructure stack. From 5G application/service layers to packet core and RAN – Mavenir leads the way in evolved, cloud-native networking solutions enabling innovative and secure experiences for end users. Leveraging industry-leading firsts in VoLTE, VoWiFi, Advanced Messaging (RCS), Multi-ID, vEPC, and Virtualised RAN, Mavenir accelerates network transformation for more than 250+ CSP customers in more than 130 countries, serving over 50% of the world’s subscribers. www.mavenir.com

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About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 693 693

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

Vodafone Limited

Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN

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