SOLiD said that this funding aims to accelerate the development of SOLiD’s Open RAN technology for neutral-host, in-building 5G networks
SOLiD, an U.S. provider of in-building mobile coverage solutions, has been awarded a $27.68 million grant by the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF).
The firm said that this funding aims to accelerate the development of SOLiD’s Open RAN (O-RAN) technology for neutral-host, in-building 5G networks.
SOLiD highlighted that its Open RAN radio unit (O-RU) technology facilitates efficient and flexible utilization of 4G and 5G spectrum, ensuring enhanced scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness. The firm noted that the grant supports the creation of advanced multi-operator O-RU solutions, seamlessly integrating with distributed antenna system (DAS) infrastructures to provide open access for diverse in-building configurations.
It added that the initiative will focus on enhancing research and development of O-RAN-compliant solutions, fostering innovative RAN-sharing models like multi-operator radio access networks (MORAN). This progression will pave the way for more streamlined, scalable and economically viable deployment and maintenance of in-building 5G systems, the company added.
“This NTIA Wireless Innovation Fund award is a recognition of SOLiD’s technological leadership in wireless infrastructure, and validates our approach to high-performance in-building connectivity through the precise integration of Open RAN and DAS technologies,” said Scott Deweese, president of SOLiD Americas. “SOLiD is committed to commercializing outstanding O-RAN-compliant solutions to empower more affordable and sustainable multi-operator in-building coverage,” he added.
SOLiD had previously announced the inclusion of its 5G Open RAN radio equipment in a collaborative initiative for multi-vendor testing of open network architectures. This effort, known as the VIAVI Automated Lab-as-a-Service for Open RAN (VALOR), is backed by funding from the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF).
The company said its C-Band Open RAN Radio Unit (O-RU) simplifies the deployment of 5G mid-band spectrum, enhancing agility, scalability and efficiency for neutral-host in-building 5G services. The VALOR lab will test SOLiD’s O-RUs for interoperability with multi-vendor 5G baseband components, including Fujitsu’s O-RAN virtualized CU/DU.
