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The eight-month programme will engage five innovative teams in developing and implementing solutions to enhance the energy efficiency of Open RAN networks
Digital Catapult has unveiled its Sonic Labs Open RAN Accelerator Programme, a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing energy efficiency within Open RAN operations. Announced shortly after the arrival of new international firms at the Sonic Labs, the programme is a collaboration between Digital Catapult, UK communications regulator Ofcom, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The initiative addresses a critical challenge in telecommunications, where network operations account for 90% of energy consumption, with RAN technology responsible for 80% of this usage. With Open RAN projected to significantly increase its share of global RAN revenues by 2028, optimizing energy use is crucial for supporting the telecom sector’s sustainability goals. The eight-month programme will engage five innovative teams in developing and implementing solutions to enhance the energy efficiency of Open RAN networks. Participants will benefit from technological guidance and collaborative opportunities, as well as access to Digital Catapult's testing facilities. Key focus areas include applying AI and machine learning to optimize the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and improving the energy efficiency of CPU server cores used in network operations.
Dritan Kaleshi, Director of 5G Technology at Digital Catapult, emphasized the programme's role in accelerating the adoption of Open RAN technology through tangible, sustainable solutions. UK telecoms minister Chris Bryant highlighted the programme’s potential to reduce energy use, cut operational costs, and offer competitive services to consumers, underscoring its significance in advancing the UK's tech sector.
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