The Department of Defense announced on Monday that it has awarded a $6.5 million contract to Echostar (NASDAQ: SATS) subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, for the development of an Open Radio Access Network prototype at Fort Bliss, TX. The 5G Open RAN prototype equipment will be installed on the Fort Bliss grounds to operate a temporary network for testing purposes, that then will be used as part of the Hughes’ commercial network supporting both DoD and commercial customers in and around the base.
The project is a joint effort of the U.S. Army, the DoD Chief Information Officer, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
DoD is leaning towards Open RAN because it allows components from different radio, hardware, and software vendors to be interoperable on the same platform. Moreover, RAN modularity allows agility and promotes supply chain security, vendor competition, that drives innovation and cost efficiencies. DoD sees Open RAN benefits as increased 5G network functionality and scalability, incorporation of artificial intelligence/machine learning, and greater flexibility in acquiring or replacing the software and hardware used in military equipment.
DoD points out that Open RAN and the ability to exert near-real time control over the RAN, via a RAN Intelligent Controller, enables strategic advantages to the warfighter. The primary use case that the Fort Bliss prototype will test through the RIC is the ability to rapidly change spectrum at the 5G control node, a capability that has real world relevance to resilient communications for a mobile command post, according to the DoD CIO office.
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