VIAVI, AT&T and Verizon announce collaboration to accelerate testing of Open RAN

VIAVI Solutions has announced a partnership between VIAVI Automated Lab-as-a-Service for Open RAN (VALOR) and the Acceleration of Compatibility and Commercialisation for Open RAN Deployments (ACCoRD) project led by AT&T and Verizon. As co-grantees of the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, VALOR and ACCoRD will collaborate on Open RAN testing initiatives to further the adoption of open and interoperable network components, strengthen global supply chain resiliency and lower barriers to entry for new Open RAN players.

VIAVI will initially supply ACCoRD labs at Iowa State University and Rutgers University with the NITRO Wireless Open RAN Test Suite, supported by the VIAVI Automation Management and Orchestration System (VAMOS). In addition, VALOR’s full suite of Open-RAN tests will be available to customers referred to the VALOR lab by ACCoRD. Equipment and services will also be provided to an additional lab at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2026 to support preparation for ACCoRD test service sustainability beyond the grant period.

Commenting on the collaboration, Robert Soni, vice president, RAN Technology, AT&T, said, “At AT&T, we are dedicated to driving technological innovation and enhancing network performance. Collaborating with VIAVI and Verizon through the ACCoRD project allows us to advance our Open RAN initiatives, ultimately benefiting our stakeholders with improved network capabilities and greater flexibility.”

Meanwhile, Steven Rice, vice president, network planning, Verizon, said, “Verizon has been driving the adoption of Open RAN for years by being a leading voice in developing and adopting Open RAN standards, paving the way for greater competition, innovation, and cost savings in the telecommunications industry. Through collaboration with VIAVI and AT&T in the ACCoRD labs, we expect to accelerate Open RAN networks with improved resilience and network performance that benefit operators and customers.”

In addition, Oleg Khaykin, president and chief executive officer (CEO), VIAVI Solutions, said, “We are delighted to support ACCoRD with testbeds through our VALOR lab and the integration of our end-to-end Open RAN portfolio at the consortium’s laboratories. With this collaboration, VALOR is well positioned to contribute to the evolution of Open RAN testing as it becomes more automated, cloud-based and efficient.”