PH, US finalize talks on first open RAN Lab
The Philippines' first Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) Laboratory in Manila will be established soon as the Philippine and United States governments finalized their discussions built on US President Joe Biden's support for the country to advance its 5G rollout.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the University of the Philippines-Electrical and Electronics Institute (UP-EEI) met Tuesday, June 4, for the upcoming Open RAN Lab at the UP Diliman.
Officials from the agencies discussed how the lab will provide hands-on training to current and aspiring local engineers and 5G professionals on how to design, build, test, and operate open network, according to the US Embassy in Manila.
“Open RAN networks in the United States have proven to be agile, rapidly deployable, and cost-efficient,” USAID Assistant Administrator Schiffer told DICT Assistant Secretary Philip Varilla and UP-EEEI Deputy Director Jaybie de Guzman.
"We want the Philippines to benefit from the same robust and secure network. The Open RAN Lab at UP Diliman will help develop talent to work on the Philippines’ own open network," he added.
Open RAN is a new approach to network architecture that opens up the telecommunications network, the embassy said.
It will allow mobile network operators to choose the best products and solutions from a variety of vendors—an approach that can help mobile network operators to advance security, foster greater innovation and competition, lower costs, and facilitate 5G deployment.
"DICT welcomes innovations like Open RAN to help in bridging the divide. On our end, we commit to create a supportive policy and regulatory environment that will pave the way for efficient deployment of Open RAN technology," Varilla said, noting that advanced technologies will empower communities, foster economic growth, and position the Philippines at the forefront of digital innovation.
De Guzman said UP is proud to host the open RAN Lab as it will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development and will train the next generation of experts who will lead the digital transformation of our country.
"It will not only enhance our academic and research capabilities but also demonstrate our dedication to contributing to the national effort of closing the digital gap and ensuring that all Filipinos have access to high-speed internet," he said.
In May 2023, US President Joe Biden announced USAID support for establishing an Open RAN Lab in Manila to advance the Philippines' 5G rollout, strengthen its innovation economy, and provide digital opportunities to Philippine workers.
The Open RAN Lab is being developed through USAID's five-year Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) project, aimed at promoting economic growth through better internet in the Philippines, the embassy said.