Dec 21, 2021 18:31 JST

Source: NEC Corporation

NEC Successfully Demonstrates Open RAN Leadership in O-RAN Global PlugFest 2021
- Most deployed massive MIMO open 5G radio units* -

TOKYO, Dec 21, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) announced today that it has successfully demonstrated its leading Open RAN massive MIMO capabilities for the PDFO-RAN ALLIANCE Global PlugFest 2021 at five of its venues, hosted by leading operators and the new windowTelecom Infra Project (TIP). PlugFests are aimed at demonstrating the functionality as well as the multi-vendor interoperability of O-RAN-based network equipment, while serving as a testing ground for advanced O-RAN operators to gauge the maturity of Open RAN.

NEC is a leading Open RAN provider, recognized for its end-to-end Open 5G solutions and system integration capabilities. This year, NEC contributed as the first commercial provider of massive MIMO open Radio Units*, resulting in NEC's O-RU being integrated with O-CU, O-DU from Open RAN software vendors more than any other supplier*.

NEC and its subsidiary Netcracker participated in multiple PlugFest venues across the globe this year, demonstrating their commercially proven, award winning Open RAN 5G massive MIMO radio units (O-RU), Open RAN Domain Orchestration solution (O-RAN SMO) and RAN software.

The companies participated in the following PlugFest venues:

Menlo Park, USA
This venue was hosted at the TIP Community Lab in Menlo Park (sponsored by Meta). NEC deployed its O-RU with Mavenir's O-CU/DU for multi-vendor interoperability.

Torino, Italy
Netcracker deployed its Open RAN Domain Orchestration solution, aligned with the O-RAN Service Management and Orchestration environment, at the Joint European O-RAN & TIP PlugFest venue hosted by European OTIC in TIM Innovation Lab - Torino. 5G RAN slice provisioning was validated using CU/DUs from Radisys based on the O1 interface.

Tokyo, Japan
Hosted by NTT DOCOMO, the operator and NEC succeeded in interoperability testing for 5G standalone (SA) built on 5G CU/DU and multi-vendor radio units (RUs). DOCOMO and NEC demonstrated the capability to migrate from a commercial 5G NSA into 5G SA through a software upgrade, using the same 5G CU/DU hardware.

NEC also deployed its O-RUs in a lab hosted by Rakuten Mobile and successfully completed verification of open fronthaul interfaces and 3GPP RF conformance using Keysight Technologies' test solution.

Seoul, South Korea
NEC contributed to the PlugFest venue hosted by LG UPlus in its 5G Innovation Lab in the LG Science Park, Seoul. NEC deployed O-RU in LG UPlus's lab with O-CU/DU from Altiostar, a Rakuten Symphony company, fronthaul gateway from DZS and Intel processors and FlexRAN reference software. 'E2E Open RAN on 5G standalone mode' was demonstrated using Keysight Technologies' test solution.

"The evolution of mobile networks to 5G standalone represents an opportunity for radio access networks to embrace an open and cloud-native architecture. The results of this year's O-RAN Global PlugFest with NEC and other partners validates the importance of software and radio solutions based on O-RAN specifications to drive the industry forward," says Anil Sawkar, Vice President of Engineering and Operations at Altiostar, a Rakuten Symphony company.

"The Open vRAN eco-system and roadmap continue to expand now, including massive MIMO capabilities, enabling CSPs to make efficient use of their 5G spectrum. Mavenir is pleased to have participated with NEC at the O-RAN Global PlugFest 2021, to showcase best-in-class and industry leading 5G Open vRAN capabilities. We are actively working with NEC to deploy these products in multiple service provider markets globally in the first half of 2022," says Puneet Sethi, SVP, GM, RAN Business Unit, Mavenir.

"Multi-vendor, high performance Open RAN is crucial to demonstrate market maturity. In 2021, the industry demonstrated great progress, and we are proud to have the first and only massive MIMO O-RAN product, making NEC the world's leader. We will continue working closely with customers and market-leading partners to deliver a vibrant ecosystem of open, high quality and high performance networks," says Patrick Lopez, Global VP of Product Management for 5G Products, NEC.

*According to NEC research.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.

Source: NEC Corporation
Sectors: Telecoms, 5G, Wireless, Apps

Copyright ©2025 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Related Press Release


NEC and emaratech Collaborate on Biometric Smart Gates Supporting UAE Airport Operations
December 19 2025 02:06 JST
 
NEC Provides Vehicle Management Equipment for Autonomous Driving at Tokyo International Airport
December 15 2025 18:41 JST
 
NEC and AEROTHAI Elevate Air Traffic Safety with Advanced Time Sync Solutions from Adtran Oscilloquartz
December 15 2025 18:04 JST
 
Bank Mandiri Enhances Digital Resiliency for Financial Trading in Indonesia through Advanced Time Sync Solutions with NEC and Adtran Oscilloquartz
December 12 2025 18:59 JST
 
NEC and ClimateAi sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for business co-creation to enhance climate resilience across various industries
December 12 2025 17:13 JST
 
NEC Named to CDP's "A List" for Climate Change and Water Security for the Seventh Consecutive Year
December 11 2025 18:00 JST
 
NEC Presents Phase I Results for Personalized AI-Powered Oral Cancer Vaccine NECVAX-NEO1 at ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2025
December 10 2025 11:00 JST
 
NEC Wins TIP MUST Silver Badge with Advanced Network Operating System for Open Optical Transponders
December 09 2025 12:39 JST
 
NEC Orchestrating Future Fund Invests in PopID, Inc. to Accelerate Global Expansion of Biometric Payment Solutions and Launch a Strategic Collaboration
December 04 2025 17:52 JST
 
NEC Launches AI Agent Service in Japan to Automate Procurement Negotiations Using AI
December 02 2025 22:43 JST
 
More Press release >>

Latest Press Release


More Latest Release >>