Airspan Networks Delivers Industry’s First Commercial Open RAN Deployment Stemming from NTIA Grant

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Key Terms

open ran technical

Open RAN is an approach to building the radio part of mobile networks that breaks the system into standard, swappable pieces so equipment from different suppliers can fit together, like using Lego bricks instead of one molded toy. For investors, it can mean lower equipment costs, more supplier competition and faster innovation — but also potential integration and security risks that can affect telecom vendors, operators and capital spending plans.

cloud-native technical

Cloud-native describes a way of creating and running applications that are designed specifically to operate smoothly on cloud computing platforms. Think of it as building a house with flexible, lightweight materials that can be easily moved, scaled, or adjusted as needed, rather than using rigid, traditional construction. For investors, it signifies technology that is more adaptable, efficient, and capable of quickly responding to changing market demands.

mid-band spectrum technical

Mid-band spectrum is a range of radio frequencies used for wireless services that sits between low-frequency bands (which travel far) and high-frequency bands (which carry lots of data over short distances). It matters to investors because this range offers a practical balance of coverage and capacity for mobile networks and 5G services, influencing how quickly and reliably carriers can expand service, attract customers, and generate revenue—think of it as the medium-speed, multi-lane highway for wireless data.

12/09/2025 - 12:52 PM

Selected by Rakuten Mobile to deploy ORAN RUs across its network in Japan

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Airspan Networks Holdings LLC (“Airspan”), a leading global provider of wireless network solutions, today announced that it has been selected by Rakuten Mobile to provide Open RAN compliant radios to be deployed across Rakuten’s nationwide mobile network in Japan.

This milestone represents the industry’s first commercial deployment directly supported through grants from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for Open RAN (ORAN) development and solidifies Airspan’s position as a strategic radio unit (RU) provider for Rakuten Mobile’s cloud-native Open RAN mobile network.

“Being part of the first commercial Open RAN deployment linked to NTIA awards is a strategic milestone for Airspan,” said Glenn Laxdal, CEO of Airspan Networks. “Delivering open, interoperable radios at scale in one of the world’s most advanced and demanding mobile markets both validates the maturity of the ORAN ecosystem and underscores the capabilities of Airspan’s engineering and product teams. Our work with Rakuten Mobile showcases how US innovation and ORAN approach can give operators a more flexible, cloud-native architecture to accelerate deployment, strengthen supply chain diversity, and improve network economics.”

“Rakuten Mobile is committed to an open, multi-vendor ecosystem that drives innovation, performance, and cost efficiency,” said Sharad Sriwastawa, co-CEO of Rakuten Mobile. “By integrating Airspan’s ORAN radio units, we benefit from interoperable, easy-to-integrate RUs that help us deliver high-quality voice, data, and digital services to customers across Japan, while retaining the flexibility to continuously enhance and expand our cloud-native Open RAN network effectively.”

Rakuten Mobile has deployed the world’s first fully cloud-native network and is the largest HetNet Open RAN Network with over 345,000 cells deployed from different radio vendors with a single unified common software layer. Beyond Technical Exercise; disrupting the industry, paving the way for new era of Telecommunications

For this deployment, Airspan’s open-standard radios integrate seamlessly with other network elements while supporting mid-band spectrum to meet both coverage and capacity requirements. For Rakuten Mobile, this translates into efficient network delivery and comprehensive nationwide reach - across urban, suburban, and many rural areas - while providing the enhanced capacity needed to handle growing data demand and advanced services.

The Rakuten Mobile deployment offers a blueprint for how ORAN, supported by strategic government funding, can be deployed rapidly at scale while delivering comprehensive benefits.

For more information about Airspan’s wireless solutions, visit us at https://airspan.com/. Airspan will also be at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, March 2–5, showcasing its latest ORAN and 5G products and solutions.

About Airspan
Airspan Networks Holdings LLC is an innovative US-based provider of wireless network solutions with a global presence, focused on delivering carrier-grade 5G and advanced wireless connectivity. Airspan’s portfolio spans three core solution areas - in-building, outdoor, and air-to-ground - and includes market-leading products for DAS, Open RAN, and small cells across both public and private network settings. Airspan supports mobile network operators, neutral-host providers, enterprises, public-sector organizations, and other technology providers in building reliable, scalable wireless networks that enhance coverage and capacity while enabling fast, efficient deployment.