NTIA 5G Challenge – VIAVI test vendor of choice
What is the NTIA 5G Challenge?
NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) hosts the NTIA 5G Challenge in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) to accelerate the adoption of open interfaces, interoperable components, and multi-vendor solutions. The 5G Challenge Preliminary Event: RAN Subsystem Interoperability comprises the first of two 5G Challenge competitions. In this first-year event, NTIA/ITS offered a prize to contestants who successfully integrated hardware and/or software solutions for one or more of these 5G network subsystems:
- Central Unit (CU)
- Distributed Unit (DU)
- Radio Unit (RU)
This event was established to measure the compliance of O-RAN vendors with O-RAN standards.
Where is the Challenge hosted?
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) chose Kyrio (a subsiduary of CableLabs) to host the event. The Kyrio facility is the first and only OTIC approved by the O-RAN ALLIANCE in the Americas.
What is an OTIC?
An OTIC provides a collaborative, open, and impartial working environment, ensuring that both equipment and function conform to O-RAN specifications.
What role does VIAVI play?
Kyrio®, a subsidiary of CableLabs®, chose VIAVI to be part of its O-RAN Test and Integration Lab in Colorado, USA. VIAVI is the only test & measurement company to be present in all seven
O-RAN ALLIANCE approved Open Testing and Integration Centres (OTICs) globally. VIAVI was the only test vendor to participate in the NTIA 5G challenge and supported the testing and validation of the O-RU, O-DU and O-CU network components.
VIAVI offers the most comprehensive test platform on the market for lab validation, field deployment and service assurance of O-RAN networks. These are deployable on premise, in public or private clouds, and as Test as a Service (TaaS). With over 85% of NEMs using the VIAVI RANtoCore platform for gNB development, the company uniquely offers market-leading 5G and Open RAN test solutions. These solutions cover conformance, performance and interoperability of O-RU, O-CU, O-DU, RIC and Core elements.
Learn more about VIAVI O-RAN Test Solutions at viavisolutions.com/oran
