Keysight, NTT DOCOMO Collaborate to Accelerate Open RAN Ecosystem Maturity

Rhea-AI Summary

Keysight Technologies has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NTT DOCOMO, Japan's largest telecommunications company, to enhance the deployment of multi-vendor 5G networks. This collaboration aims to drive the maturity of open radio access network (RAN) ecosystems. Keysight's open radio access network architect (KORA) will facilitate the establishment of a 5G Open RAN Ecosystem testbed, allowing various firms to conduct verification and interoperability tests. The initiative aligns with Keysight's commitment to advancing open and virtualized RAN technology.

Positive

• Collaboration with NTT DOCOMO strengthens Keysight's position in the 5G market.
• KORA enables end-to-end testing, enhancing product validation and deployment capabilities.
• Active contribution to the O-RAN Alliance demonstrates industry influence.

Negative

• None.

Companies advance deployment of multi-vendor 5G networks built on open standard interfaces

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NTT DOCOMO, INC., Japan's largest telecommunications company, to support the development and deployment of multi-vendor 5G networks built on open standard interfaces, driving the growing maturity of open radio access network (RAN) ecosystems.

Keysight’s open radio access network architect (KORA) has enabled NTT DOCOMO, a provider of innovative, convenient and secure mobile services, to establish a 5G Open RAN Ecosystem testbed with a virtual RAN (vRAN) verification environment. The 5G Open RAN Ecosystem test lab offers companies the opportunity to address a diverse range of test, verification, interoperability and optimization needs. KORA brings together a comprehensive family of scalable and software-driven solutions, enabling users to effectively address the entire workflow, from early design and development to product validation and deployment.

“Keysight established a strong working relationship with NTT DOCOMO in 2015, when the industry was in the early stages of creating the initial foundational blocks of the next generation of mobile communications,” said Kalyan Sundhar, vice president and general manager for Keysight’s 5G edge to core industry group. “Establishing a thriving 5G Open RAN Ecosystem is critical to the success of the O-RAN standard, which makes it possible to deploy a multi-vendor infrastructure in support of operator roll-out plans across different use case requirements.”

Both companies are active contributors to the O-RAN Alliance, which was founded in 2018 and supports more than three hundred companies around the world. Keysight drives the development of major technical and test specifications for open interfaces, cloud, transport, security and end-to-end test and integration, and co-chairs a committee that drives O-RAN specification priorities.

“NTT DOCOMO is committed to delivering open and virtualized RAN to global operators through the 5G Open RAN Ecosystem,” said Sadayuki Abeta, general manager of Radio Access Network Development Department at NTT DOCOMO. “Keysight is a leading contributor to test and integration for 5G development, and we expect their test equipment and capabilities will help to accelerate open RAN to the next stage of commercialization.”

KORA enables users to perform end-to-end testing, from the edge of the RAN to the cloud, as well as from early pre-silicon development to system integration. Vendors of various components of the RAN across the ecosystem, hyperscalers, Open Test and Integration Centers (OTIC) and mobile operators use KORA to ensure desired levels of performance, quality of service, interoperability, security and compliance to the latest specifications.

The collaboration includes the development of RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) technology, which improves radio resource management in the RAN and simplifies the use of network function virtualization (NFV), multi-access edge computing (MEC), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. Keysight's RICtest enables users to simulate thousands of O-RAN network elements for efficient validation of near and non-real time RIC behavior.

About Keysight Technologies

Keysight delivers advanced design and validation solutions that help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight’s dedication to speed and precision extends to software-driven insights and analytics that bring tomorrow’s technology products to market faster across the development lifecycle, in design simulation, prototype validation, automated software testing, manufacturing analysis, and network performance optimization and visibility in enterprise, service provider and cloud environments. Our customers span the worldwide communications and industrial ecosystems, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics markets. Keysight generated revenues of $4.9B in fiscal year 2021. For more information about Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), visit us at www.keysight.com.

Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220228005731/en/

Geri Lynne LaCombe, Americas/Europe

+1 303 662 4748

geri_lacombe@keysight.com

Fusako Dohi, Asia

+81 42 660-2162

fusako_dohi@keysight.com

Source: Keysight Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Keysight's MoU with NTT DOCOMO?

The MoU aims to enhance the development of multi-vendor 5G networks, promoting open RAN ecosystems.

How does Keysight's KORA technology benefit the 5G ecosystem?

KORA facilitates a comprehensive testing environment, improving validation, interoperability, and optimization for 5G networks.

What financial impact could the partnership with NTT DOCOMO have on Keysight Technologies?

The partnership could lead to increased revenues by positioning Keysight as a key player in the expanding 5G market.

What role does Keysight play in the O-RAN Alliance?

Keysight drives development of technical specifications and co-chairs a committee focused on O-RAN specification priorities.

When was the partnership between Keysight and NTT DOCOMO established?

The relationship dates back to 2015, focusing on mobile communication advancements.