A new deal will see US network software provider Mavenir and mobile chip giant Qualcomm collaborate on new OpenRAN solutions.

Specifically the new deal allows Mavenir to expand its OpenRAN portfolio of mmWave and Massive MIMO 5G Radio Units with 64T64R capabilities to 8T8R radios. The firm also plans to develop vDU RAN software based on the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card.

The firms say their aim is to ‘proliferate Open RAN globally’, and the new solutions are expected to be available for global deployment next year.

“Combining Mavenir’s cloud-based and Open RAN-based network expertise with Qualcomm Technologies’ technology leadership in developing high performance and low power Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) 5G solutions for device and infrastructure products, will redefine how mobile networks are designed and how next-gen services are delivered, offering operators new opportunities to create innovation within their networks,” said Pardeep Kohli, CEO of Mavenir.

Durga Malladi, SVP and general manager, 5G, mobile broadband and infrastructure, at Qualcomm added: “As a global technology leader in 5G, Qualcomm Technologies is dedicated to driving the industry forward and pushing the envelope of innovation. We can only achieve this goal by working with other like-minded industry leaders and innovators such as Mavenir. Qualcomm Technologies is pleased to collaborate with Mavenir on the development of comprehensive ORAN solutions to accelerate next generation 5G mobile infrastructure global adoption, and help operators meet performance demands at the edge for enhanced user experiences.”

OpenRAN is enabling all sorts of new vendor partnerships, and this is bound to be just one of many announcements around the technology this week at MWC 2022. It has the feel of a technological gold rush and this year’s show is a great opportunity for other companies to try to sprint ahead of incumbent telecoms kit vendors in the race to dominate future radio access networks.