The collaboration agreement aims to jointly cooperate in developing OpenRAN, Core 5G and OSS. Enrique Blanco, Chief Technology & Information Officer (CTIO) of Telefónica, commented: “Telefónica firmly believes that networks are evolving towards end-to-end virtualization through open architectures where OpenRAN is a key piece. Beyond the flexibility and simplicity it will provide, OpenRAN will change the provider ecosystem and revolutionize the current 5G industry in the medium and long term. At the same time, open and virtualized networks will lead us to a new operating model for operators. "

The companies will carry out pilot and laboratory tests to facilitate the development of OpenRAN architectures, including the role that Artificial Intelligence will play in mobile access networks; create proposals for optimal 5G RAN architecture and OpenRAN models; and they will work on a joint purchasing scheme for hardware and software associated with OpenRAN. Lastly, Rakuten and Telefónica will focus on Core 4G / 5G and the OSS technology used by Rakuten Mobile in Japan and its platform (Rakuten Communications Platform).