Rakuten Mobile and NEC Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote Open RAN (open radio access networks) in global mobile telecommunications markets.

In Japan, NEC is currently providing 5G radio units (5G RU) for Rakuten Mobile’s fully virtualised cloud-native mobile network. The two companies are also jointly developing Rakuten Mobile’s containerised 5G Stand Alone (SA) core network (5GC). Under the MoU, Rakuten Mobile and NEC will expand upon their domestic collaboration to date to provide 5G and 4G Radios and engineering services for Open RAN systems aligned with O-RAN specifications for global markets, and accelerate the global expansion of the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP).

RCP, Rakuten Mobile’s fully virtualised and containerised cloud-native mobile network platform, allows telecom companies and enterprises around the world to deploy virtualised networks at high speed and low cost.

Commenting on the development,  Tareq Amin, Representative Director, Executive Vice President and CTO of Rakuten Mobile, said, “Rakuten Mobile has successfully designed, launched and now operates a fully virtualised mobile network. This unique network architecture built on Open RAN standards continues to attract significant interest from operators, enterprises and governments around the world. With NEC’s excellent level of technical expertise in radio and track record of providing our high quality 5G sub-6 RU, this collaboration will accelerate the global expansion of Rakuten Communications Platform and promote adoption of Open RAN in global markets.”

“This MoU will empower both NEC and Rakuten Mobile to contribute in an even more comprehensive way to the opening and virtualisation of cellular networks around the world. NEC is already providing Rakuten Mobile with BSS/OSS, 5G RU and 5G core solutions for its revolutionary fully virtualised cloud-native network. We hope to continue contributing to the expansion of the Rakuten Communications Platform as it rolls out around the globe,” commented NEC Executive Vice President Atsuo Kawamura.

By leveraging deep experience in construction and operation of a fully virtualised cloud-native mobile network and providing revolutionary services and expertise in Open RAN, Rakuten Mobile and NEC aim to provide high quality network technologies to customers around the world.