Aramco Digital and Intel have announced plans to build Saudi Arabia's inaugural Open RAN (Radio Access Network) development center.
It's part of Saudi Arabia's plans to build more agile telecom networks, and is also part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which focuses on technological advancements and economic diversification.
How real is Open RAN?
Operators are keen to point out new technology, but not everyone is convinced that Open RAN has fully arrived
Open RAN focuses on promoting more open networks that include multiple vendors, rather than traditional RAN networks, which have been built out by single vendors.
Aramco Digital is the digital and technology subsidiary of energy and chemicals company Aramco.
According to Aramco Digital and Intel, the collaboration for an Open RAN center will deliver an innovation hub, develop the local workforce, and provide an economic impact to the country.
Workers at the development center will also be trained on Open RAN and Edge computing technology.
"This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to helping drive innovation in the Kingdom," said Aramco Digital CEO Tareq Amin.
"The Open RAN development center is expected to be a catalyst for digital evolution, providing a platform for collaboration, skill development, and the creation of a vibrant technology ecosystem. At the heart of this collaboration is the creation of a vibrant pool of local capabilities for advanced 5G and future 6G technologies.”
The development center is scheduled to open sometime this year, although no specific dates have been announced.
Several vendors such as Ericsson, Nokia, and Mavenir Telecom have pushed the idea of Open RAN, while operators including Vodafone, Orange, and AT&T have deployed or have outlined plans to build Open RAN networks.
Just last week, Parallel Wireless revealed it has deployed Open RAN to 1,500 sites in Africa.
Telcos are expected to invest more than $30 billion in Open RAN by the end of the decade, according to analyst firm Counterpoint Research.
