Vodafone Group Plc VODAFONE SUPPLIERS AND RURAL INTERNET ACCESS
07 October 2019 - 5:00PM
RNS Non-Regulatory
TIDMVOD
Vodafone Group Plc
07 October 2019
7 October 2019
VODAFONE PIONEERS INNOVATIVE NETWORK TECH TO INCREASE SUPPLIERS
AND EXTEND RURAL INTERNET ACCESS
-- Developing 'Open Radio Access Networks' (OpenRAN) will enable
Vodafone and the telecom industry to:
- introduce a wave of new 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technology vendors -
in addition to the existing market leaders - improving supply chain
resilience;
- connect more of the world's most rural communities to the
internet using standardised, lower cost network equipment; and
- enhance coverage in cities, e.g. using Vodafone's Open CrowdCell 'small cell' technology.
-- Vodafone will trial OpenRAN for the first time in a developed
market - the UK - as the technology is introduced in Europe ahead
of schedule.
-- Vodafone also launches OpenRAN trials in Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique building on experience in South
Africa and Turkey.
Vodafone Group is taking a lead in trialling innovative new
technology in Europe that promises to greatly increase the number
of companies that can supply mobile network equipment to telecom
operators.
The global supply of telecom network equipment has become
concentrated in a small handful of companies over the past few
years. More choice of suppliers will safeguard the delivery of
services to all mobile customers, increase flexibility and
innovation and, crucially, can help address some of the cost
challenges that are holding back the delivery of internet services
to rural communities and remote places across the world.
Vodafone has initiated the first European trials of OpenRAN in
the UK and may extend to more of its markets on the continent.
Vodafone has also initiated trials of the technology to enable more
consumers in the DRC and Mozambique - which have largely rural
communities and are near the bottom of the United Nations Human
Development Index - to make mobile calls and to access data.(1) The
trial sites across the three countries will provide 2G, 3G and 4G
services, with 5G possible over OpenRAN in the future.
Vodafone has already undertaken lab trials of OpenRAN with
Vodacom South Africa, and in Turkey has deployed the technology to
deliver 2G and 4G services to customers in both urban and rural
parts of the country.
Nick Read, CEO, Vodafone Group said: "We are pleased with trials
of OpenRAN and are ready to fast track it into Europe as we seek to
actively expand our vendor ecosystem. OpenRAN improves the network
economics enabling us to reach more people in rural communities and
that supports our goal to build digital societies in which no-one
is left behind."
Vodafone has started working with a number of new vendors
supplying OpenRAN technology including US companies, Parallel
Wireless and Mavenir, and UK-based Lime Microsystems for Open
CrowdCell.
OpenRAN
Since 2017, Vodafone has been leading work on creating new
approaches to building and deploying telecom network infrastructure
with other telecom and technology companies within industry
association Telecom Infra Project (TIP). OpenRAN was created within
TIP as a way to connect some of the world's communities with the
least access to telecom networks.
The Radio Access Network (RAN) is the infrastructure, masts and
antennae that telecom operators use to carry mobile traffic.
OpenRAN is a technology that reduces the cost of providing internet
and voice services by standardising the design and functionality of
the hardware and software in the RAN, increasing the number of
companies that can supply different components.
The OpenRAN approach has been in development for several years
and is based in part on work Vodafone did to develop a 'small cell'
technology for cities called Open CrowdCell, which is in use in
Spain and Turkey. Open CrowdCell has a shorter range than masts and
antennae and uses standardised hardware for which a range of
suppliers can develop software applications.
- ends -
1. Vodafone's trials in the DRC and Mozambique have been
conducted by Vodacom companies which are part of the Vodafone
Group. Both countries have largely rural communities and are near
the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index. The DRC
is also in the bottom 10 countries in the world for internet access
(6.2% of the population are online). Vodacom has invested in
building 4G networks in both countries having recently obtained
licenses from their governments. Vodacom has the leading 3G
coverage in DRC (28%) and Mozambique (41%) and also delivers the
fastest data speeds in both countries.
For further information:
Vodafone Group
Media Relations Investor Relations
GroupMedia@vodafone.com IR@vodafone.co.uk
About Vodafone Group
Vodafone Group is one of the world's leading telecoms and
technology service providers. We have extensive experience in
connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as
championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in
emerging markets.
Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 24 countries, partners
with mobile networks in 43 more, and fixed broadband operations in
19 markets. As of 30 June 2019, Vodafone Group had approximately
640 million mobile customers, 21 million fixed broadband customers
and 14 million TV customers, including all of the customers in
Vodafone's joint ventures and associates. For more information,
please visit: www.vodafone.com.
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