SONIC实验室年度报告-24/25

2024 / 2025 Contents Foreword3 Executive summary5Open RAN landscape 2024 / 202510Role and ambition of SONIC Labs15Introducing the Open RAN Technology Access Programme22Open RAN Cohort 533Cross-programme support and market readiness activities42Building a global innovation ecosystem for Open RAN49A forward look for SONIC Labs65Glossary73 Document User Guide Go to contentsBack oneForward one Foreword Future digital connectivity is driven by data, networks, andartificial intelligence, forming the foundation for the adoptionof deep tech. Digital Catapult is focused on advancing thedevelopment and use of data-driven and open future networksin the UK. The SmartRAN Open Networks InteroperabilityCentre (SONIC) Labs programme, delivered by Digital Catapultin partnership with Ofcom and funded by the Department forScience, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is leading the way inAdvanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) such as Open RAN. We’re helping both SMEs and start-ups explore new usecases, access technical expertise, and develop productroadmaps – ensuring UK networks evolve with emergingbusiness needs and stay at the forefront of innovation.This is crucial for developing open, multi-vendor and resilientnetworks, which are essential for national infrastructure andcreating capabilities that stimulate growth in deep tech. Joe ButlerChief Technology Officer,Digital Catapult Key outcomes of the programme include: ■Enabling and encouraging innovative vendors toparticipate in the UK telecoms ecosystem and facilitatea more rapid path towards deployment in UK networks ■Supporting vendors to create commercially feasibleconfigurations of end-to-end networking systems thatcan enter the UK telecoms supply chain ■Promoting and developing an international community ofvendors and partners to advance Open RAN technologies ■Strengthening the UK’s leadership in globaltelecoms innovation Our Open RAN testbeds and facilities are pivotal inaccelerating the development and testing of open networktechnologies, driving the diversification of the UK’s 5Gnetwork and spurring telecoms innovation. I am proud to share that we have now received accreditation as theonly Open Testing and Integration Centre (OTIC) in the UK, awardedby the O-RAN Alliance. The accreditation recognises Digital Catapult’sworld-class capabilities in testing, validating and integrating Open RANtechnologies, and our work to advance the development and deploymentof 5G and future networks. Our new status means we are accredited toissue O-RAN Alliance certificates for conformance testing and badgesfor interoperability and end-to-end testing for Open RAN products andsolutions, joining a global network of twenty other qualified OTICs. Wecan now support a broad range of Open RAN vendors by helping validatetheir solutions ahead of deployment, enabling many to scale successfullyand to practically apply Open RAN innovation across different industries. Another highlight of the last year is the completion of the fifth SONICLabs cohort, marking a significant milestone in the development anddeployment of Open RAN technologies. This latest cohort featuredcompanies that for the first time utilised SONIC Labs’ newly establishedoutdoor testing facility. Outdoor testing plays a crucial role in uncoveringnew use cases and addressing real-world deployment challenges.Building on the success of previous cohorts, this new phase will providevaluable insights into the opportunities and hurdles of outdoor OpenRAN testing, ultimately driving forward the global advancement oftelecommunications infrastructure. Through collaboration, real-world validation, and vendor empowerment, thisreport outlines how the SONIC Labs programme is shaping the future ofnetworks to strengthen the UK’s leadership in global telecoms innovation. I would like to express my appreciation to all our partners and colleaguesacross the project. Your dedication, professionalism, and collaborativespirit have been instrumental in making SONIC Labs the success it istoday. I am also sincerely grateful to DSIT for its continued support andcommitment throughout this journey. Joe Butler Chief Technology Officer, Digital Catapult Executivesummary SONIC Labs: driving impactand value for the UKeconomy through Open RANmarket development Launched in October 2020 with funding from the UKGovernment’s 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy,the SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre(SONIC) Labs is a collaborative initiative delivered byDigital Catapult and Ofcom. As a leading R&D facility and innovation programme, SONIC Labs playsa pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of open-network solutions withinthe UK telecoms ecosystem. It enables in-house integration and testing ofmulti-vendor Open RAN systems, aiming to develop commercially viablesolutions while providing stakeholders – including policymakers – withcritical insights into industry progress. Gathering momentum in 2024/25 Entering its third year, SON