12 December 2024

The Open RAN Development Company (ODC) has formed a strategic partnership with MTN Group to develop and test new Open RAN (ORAN) technologies tailored to the unique needs of African networks.

MTN said that the collaboration supports its mission of providing affordable, high-quality telecom services across the continent, with advanced Open RAN architectures enabling increased network flexibility.

ODC and MTN Group are launching a joint lab to test ORAN solutions, which the parties say will improve network agility, scalability, and efficiency. As part of this initiative, the two companies will conduct lab and field trials, ensuring optimised performance and seamless integration into MTN Group’s existing network infrastructure.

MTN Group will guide ODC in optimising ORAN software and platform development with artificial intelligence to streamline operational expenditure across the network. The partnership will also focus on research and development in 6G and non-terrestrial communications, incorporating these advancements into ODC’s ORAN stack.

“Open RAN represents a transformative approach to how we design and operate our infrastructure—enhancing flexibility, driving cost efficiencies, and paving the way for next-generation technologies,” said Amith Maharaj, MTN Group network design and planning executive. “Through our collaboration with ODC, we are unlocking new possibilities to expand our reach, improve service quality, and empower the communities and businesses we serve.”

“Our collaboration with MTN Group focusses ODC directly on MTN’s unique network needs, enhancing efficiencies while supporting the evolution of next-generation capabilities, silicon, and Artificial Intelligence,” said Matthew Johnson, global head of ODC.