Case study on the Open Networks Ecosystem competition, which awarded ~£80.5m in funding to projects supporting the UK's 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy
The objectives were to:
- Develop, demonstrate and test approaches to optimising Open RAN network performance in High Demand Density (HDD) environments.
- Develop open and interoperable software, including RIC technologies.
- Develop hardware solutions for open interface infrastructure and reduce/remove barriers to scaled market adoption.
The competition funded projects developing new software and hardware products, as well as live demonstrations of Open RAN technologies in challenging real-world environments. It worked alongside related programmes including the Future RAN Competition (FRANC), the Future Open Networks Research Challenge, SONIC Labs, the UK Telecoms Innovation Network and the UK Telecoms Lab.
Funded projects were expected to develop, demonstrate and test practical solutions that improved Open RAN performance, created interoperable software, and advanced scalable hardware platforms. Together, the projects contributed evidence, prototypes and operational learning to support future deployment of open mobile network infrastructure in the UK.
Related material
- Open Network Ecosystem competition guidance ( Open Networks Ecosystem Competition - GOV.UK)
- Original list of successful projects ( Open Networks Ecosystem competition: successful projects - GOV.UK)
5G MoDE (Mobile oRAN for highly Dense Environments)
- Main location(s): Reading, Guildford
- DSIT funding amount: ~£1m
- Partners: Virgin Media O2, Mavenir, VMWare and University of Surrey
- Dates: September 2023 to March 2025
The 5G MoDE project was funded by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology through the Open Network Ecosystem competition to test new ways of building mobile networks that are more open, flexible and competitive. The aim was to demonstrate that Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) could handle very high levels of mobile traffic in real environments, such as major sports events, helping diversify the UK's telecoms supply chain beyond a small number of large suppliers.
The project moved from laboratory tests to live public demonstration. In the lab, partners integrated hardware and software components and tested basic performance. These components included cloud-based network units and radio antennas connected through open interfaces that allow flexible deployments. The team then built a temporary test site and deployed the system at Twickenham Stadium, culminating in a live demonstration during a Six Nations rugby match where the Open RAN system carried real customer traffic and operated alongside the existing mobile network.
The project successfully showed that Open RAN can work under peak demand, support calls and data, and interoperate with established networks. Key lessons included practical insights into power and network configuration in dense venues, the importance of thorough emergency-call testing, and the need to manage supplier dependencies effectively.
