VIAVI Selected to Build Open Radio Access Network Laboratory in the Philippines

Rhea-AI Summary

VIAVI Solutions (NASDAQ: VIAV) has been selected to design, build and operate an Open RAN Interoperability Laboratory in Quezon City, Metro Manila. The lab, funded by USAID through the BEACON Project, will be based on VIAVI's Automated Lab-as-a-Service (VALOR™) and developed in collaboration with UP Diliman EEEI and Asia Open RAN Academy. The initiative aims to promote open architecture, foster innovation, and expand digital access in the Philippines. The lab will feature VIAVI's NITRO Wireless Open RAN Test Suite and include components from vendors like Fujitsu and SOLiD to support multi-vendor Open RAN testing and validation.

Positive

• Selected for a strategic government-funded project to build Open RAN laboratory
• Partnership with major institutions including USAID and University of the Philippines
• Expansion of VIAVI's market presence in Asia Pacific region
• Implementation of proprietary VALOR™ and NITRO Wireless test suite technologies

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

This USAID-funded Open RAN laboratory project represents a significant strategic move for VIAVI in the Asia-Pacific telecommunications market. The implementation of VALOR in the Philippines creates multiple revenue streams through lab design, construction, operation and ongoing testing services. The partnership with major institutions and government backing provides strong credibility and market positioning for VIAVI's Open RAN testing solutions.

The project aligns with the growing global shift toward Open RAN architecture, which is expected to reach $32 billion by 2030. By establishing this laboratory, VIAVI gains a strategic foothold in training future telecommunications professionals and influencing Open RAN standards in the region. The collaboration with Fujitsu and SOLiD also strengthens VIAVI's position in the Open RAN ecosystem.

Lab Will Leverage VIAVI Automated Lab-as-a-Service (VALOR™) and is Funded by the U.S. Agency For International Development (USAID)

CHANDLER, Ariz., Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VIAVI Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced that the company has been selected to design, build and operate a comprehensive lab to further the adoption of Open RAN, lower barriers to entry for new players, and train a highly skilled workforce that can fuel the Open RAN industry in Asia.

The lab, which will be located in Quezon City, Metro Manila, is based on the VIAVI Automated Lab-as-a-Service for Open RAN (VALOR™) and is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) Project in collaboration with University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Electronics and Electrical Engineering Institute (EEEI) and Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA).

The Open Radio Access Network (RAN) Interoperability Laboratory is a flagship initiative established between the United States and the Philippines during President Marcos' historic visit to the White House in May 2023. Based on the VALOR blueprint, the lab aims to comprehensively address the availability, affordability, and accessibility of testing and evaluation of Open RAN networks through an innovative, highly automated hybrid testing Laboratory-as-a-Service (LaaS).

At the Philippines Open RAN Laboratory, VIAVI will mirror the reference architecture from VALOR and incorporate components from reputable hardware and software vendors carefully selected to embody the spirit of multi-vendor Open RAN, including Fujitsu and SOLiD.

As vendors integrate their products into this environment, validation will be carried out end-to-end by the NITRO Wireless Open RAN Test Suite:

• The TM500 Network Tester provides UE and RU emulation
• OneAdvisor 800 Wireless provides portable spectrum analysis
• VIAVI drive / walk test
• VIAVI Automation Management and Orchestration System (VAMOS) provides test orchestration, analysis, validation, and reporting.

"By promoting open architecture, we foster innovation, empower local operators, drive competition, and ultimately expand life-changing digital access for the Filipino people, fulfilling President Biden's and President Marcos' shared vision of a prosperous, secure Indo-Pacific region," said USAID Philippines Director of the Office of Economic Development and Governance Amy Lovejoy.

"We are confident that the Open RAN Laboratory will be fully utilized by the university in executing research and extension that will improve connectivity for every Filipino to drive our country's digital transformation," said UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II. UP has already awarded USAID-supported scholarships towards connectivity research and development that will use the lab.

"VIAVI is proud to extend our leadership in Open RAN test labs to the Philippines," said Rajesh Rao, Vice President, Asia Pacific South, VIAVI. "Our globally proven NITRO Wireless test suite, automated by the VAMOS framework, integrates best-in-class products to provide a robust test environment. We appreciate the confidence from USAID, UP EEEI, and the Asia Open RAN Academy in VIAVI and our partnership with technology leaders. We are excited to enable high quality interoperable telecom infrastructure and associated services in 5G, and progressively towards 6G."

VALOR is funded by the U.S. NTIA Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund.

About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Media Inquiries:
Grand Bridges
Emma Jenkins
emma@grandbridges.com 
+1 415 800 4529

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viavi-selected-to-build-open-radio-access-network-laboratory-in-the-philippines-302289667.html

SOURCE VIAVI Solutions

FAQ

What is VIAVI (VIAV) building in the Philippines?

VIAVI is building an Open RAN Interoperability Laboratory in Quezon City, Metro Manila, based on their Automated Lab-as-a-Service (VALOR™) technology.

Who is funding VIAVI's (VIAV) Open RAN laboratory project in the Philippines?

The project is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the BEACON Project.

What technologies will VIAVI (VIAV) implement in the Philippines Open RAN lab?

The lab will implement VIAVI's NITRO Wireless Open RAN Test Suite, including TM500 Network Tester, OneAdvisor 800 Wireless, drive/walk test, and VAMOS system.

Which partners is VIAVI (VIAV) collaborating with for the Philippines Open RAN lab?

VIAVI is collaborating with UP Diliman Electronics and Electrical Engineering Institute, Asia Open RAN Academy, and vendors including Fujitsu and SOLiD.