Keysight Technologies, Inc. has signed an MOU with Japanese mobile communications company NTT DOCOMO to build a 5G O-RAN ecosystem for the success of the O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) standard.

Keysight has signed an MOU with NTT Docomo to support the development and deployment of multi-vendor 5G networks built on open standard interfaces and to enhance the O-RAN ecosystem.

Keysight O-RAN Network Architect (KORA) supports NTT Docomo to build a 5G O-RAN ecosystem testbed through a virtual RAN (vRAN) validation environment.

O-RAN Network Architect (KORA) brings together a comprehensive and scalable suite of software-centric solutions to help users efficiently address the entire workflow from initial design and development through product validation and deployment.

KORA enables users to perform comprehensive testing from the RAN edge to the cloud, from early pre-silicon development to system integration.

A diverse range of RAN component vendors, hyperscalers, and OTIC (Open Test and Integratio) across the ecosystemn Center) and mobile operators can use KORA to ensure desired levels of performance, quality of service, interoperability, security, and compliance with the latest specifications.

This collaboration includes the development of RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) technology that will improve radio resource management capabilities in the RAN and simplify the use of network functions virtualization (NFV), multi-access edge computing (MEC), and artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning (ML) technologies.

Meanwhile, both companies contribute to the O-RAN Alliance, which supports over 300 companies worldwide.

Keysight said it is co-chairing the committee that drives the O-RAN specification priorities, focusing on the development of key technologies and test specifications around open interfaces, cloud, transport, security, comprehensive test and integration.

“Keysight has had a strong collaboration with NTT DOCOMO since 2015, when the industry began laying the foundation for next-generation mobile communications,” said Kalyan Sundhar, vice president and general manager of Keysight’s 5G Edge to Core industry business unit. “Building a robust 5G O-RAN ecosystem is critical to the success of the O-RAN standard, and we look forward to working with Keysight to accelerate the adoption of this standard.” “O-RAN standards enable the deployment of multi-vendor infrastructure that supports operator rollout plans across multiple use case requirements,” he emphasized.

“NTT DOCOMO is committed to providing open virtualized RAN through the 5G O-RAN ecosystem to global operators,” said Sadayuki Abeta, general manager of RAN Development Department, NTT DOCOMO. “Keysight is a key contributor to test and integration related to 5G development, and Keysight’s test equipment and capabilities will help O-RAN move more quickly to the next commercialization phase.”