The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has less than a month remaining to submit plans on 5G adoption to Congress, and those plans are likely to include strategies to promote use of Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN).
Open RAN refers to the use of radio components that can interoperate even if they are made by different vendors. The base station is typically separated into a Centralized Unit and a Distributed Unit, and the radio unit often moves many functions to software.
The DoD has a particular interest in Open RAN because it may create an opportunity to buy 5G radio gear from U.S. companies, which is seen as a secure choice for the military. Currently, commercial 5G networks in the U.S. primarily use equipment made abroad by Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung, although DISH’s fledgling Open RAN network uses a more diverse group of vendors.
President Biden signed the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law on December 23, 2022. The act allocates $816.7 billion to the DoD, and gives each of the 15 Assistant Secretaries of Defense 120 days to report to Congress on “the extent to which fifth generation information and communications technology (5G) infrastructure is expected to be implemented in the military department of the Assistant Secretary by the end of the three-year period following the date of the enactment of this Act.”
The Act then states: “Each plan required under paragraph (1) shall include—whether and to what extent the Assistant Secretary intends to use an open radio access network approach in implementing fifth generation information and communications technologies.”
Assistant Secretaries who propose to implement 5G without Open RAN will need to include “an explanation of the reasons for such determination,” according to the NDAA. And whether or not they plan to use Open RAN, each Assistant Secretary is required to submit an investment plan which includes estimates of funding needed to accelerate “the maturation and acquisition of fifth generation information and communications capabilities that use the open radio access network approach,” according to the text of the Act.
The U.S. military’s focus on Open RAN is well known to the wireless industry, which has been working closely with the armed forces on several Open RAN initiatives. In addition to partnerships with the military, wireless carriers are working closely with defense contractors, including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Hughes.
Lance Spencer, client EVP for Defense at AT&T, told Inside Towers the carrier is moving quickly in its Open RAN tests with Northrop Grumman and Fujitsu. The team is working with an Open RAN 5G core, and Spencer said the partners are now testing the open interfaces over actual wireless communication devices.
Spencer also hopes some of the NDAA funds will be used to build better communications networks on military bases. He notes that the armed forces typically enjoy better wireless connectivity off-base than on-base and he believes 5G networks on military bases will ultimately enhance national security.
“I think that will help drive military adoption for using 5G and cellular to augment and support their mission,” Spencer said. “They are way behind on coverage and availability.”
Other nations may do a better job than the U.S. at fostering cooperation between industry and the military, Spencer noted. But he said America can catch up. “In the U.S., the capability exists to bring the whole nation together,” he said. “We need to work together now and be ready to execute missions going forward.”
By Martha DeGrasse, Inside Towers Contributing Analyst
Veteran telecom industry editor and journalist Martha DeGrasse is an Inside Towers Contributing Analyst with features appearing monthly. DeGrasse owns Network Builder Reports and contributes regularly to several publications. She was formerly a writer and editor with RCR Wireless and a TV business news producer.
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