The SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre

The SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre (SONIC) was announced as part of DCMS’ 5G Diversification Strategy, a joint activity between Digital Catapult and Ofcom to create a platform for existing and emerging suppliers to test interoperability and integration of open and software centric networking solutions, starting with Open RAN.

SONIC is funded by the UK government and Ofcom to help achieve a vision of a more open, competitive and diverse telecoms supply chain. SONIC will demonstrate and foster a disaggregated network ecosystem in the UK with multiple suppliers for each element in the technology stack. As well as addressing diversification, SONIC will also help accelerate innovation in telecoms networks with the move to open and software centric architectures.

SONIC will support Open RAN and other open network standards in the UK:

•  It is able to start now, and develop into a long term platform by leveraging existing 5G testbed infrastructure as well as existing know-how for engaging with the broader ecosystem and for building test beds
•  It will inform the UK Government and Regulator in a neutral way
•  It enables Open RAN for benefit of the entire UK ecosystem, supporting and feeding back learning and best practice for Open RAN deployments

SONIC will be live and operational from May 2021, and evolve over time to inform the broader national telecoms capability and other large scale pilots.
CT Bureau