The NTIA is making up to $420 million in funding available to build the radio equipment needed to advance open network adoption in the U.S. and abroad. It’s the second Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. Several experts have pointed to O-RAN networks as a way to veer away from Chinese technology due to national security concerns.
The NOFO aims to drive commercialization and innovation in open radio units. Making more open radio units available is critical to spur open network adoption, says NTIA.
The investment follows $42 million distributed to Verizon (NYSE: VZ), AT&T (NYSE: T), other operators, vendors, and developers for Open RAN development earlier this year, Inside Towers reported. Open RAN aims to allow providers to mix and match solutions from multiple vendors, which is not possible with proprietary network equipment.
“To secure our telecom supply chain, America and its allies need to build more innovative, affordable, and secure wireless equipment,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. By supporting the development of open radio units, this second round of funding will help to ensure that wireless technology is built by the U.S. and its global allies and partners – not vendors from nations that threaten our national security, according to NTIA.
“This $420 million investment will help shore up our supply chain and create opportunities for companies from the U.S. and our allies,” said NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “Open, interoperable networks will facilitate competition, make our supply chains more secure, and lead to lower costs.”
This second round of funding targets two critical areas:
- Open radio unit commercialization: Accelerating the development of open radio units to the point where they meet the needs of wireless carriers and are ready for commercial trials; and
- Open radio unit innovation: Improving the overall performance and capabilities of open radio units through targeted research and development.
NTIA expects to grant between $25 million and $45 million per commercialization award, and $5 million to $10 million per innovation award. Applications are due July 10.
To date, NTIA has awarded more than $140 million to 17 grantees through the first Notice of Funding Opportunity. NTIA expects to start making awards from this second funding opportunity this fall. Visit the Round 2 (2024) Open RU page to find a link to the second Notice of Funding Opportunity.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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