IS-Wireless to deploy private 5G at the Riga Technical University
A 5G Open RAN laboratory will be set up at the Riga Technical University (RTU) by IS-Wireless. The joint effort will deliver a network for educational purposes as well as for extended research cooperation between the parties. An agreement between the Open RAN 5G provider and RTU was signed during the 5G Techritory 2023 conference, where the partners have co-hosted a side event roundtable discussion dedicated to tracking progress of Open RAN deployments in Central-Eastern Europe.
IS-Wireless, an Open RAN 5G provider and the Riga Technical University have signed an agreement, marking the beginning of their cooperation to deploy a private 5G network at the University with a goal of enabling educational as well as research and development activity. – The deployment of the private 5G network at RTU is perfectly aligned with global trends in the field of mobile networks. Private 5G market is supposed to grow to 129,6 bln USD by 2032, while its value was estimated at 2,6 bln USD in 2022.
Our experience in such deployments will enable the university to fully capture massive educational and research opportunities
says Sławomir Pietrzyk, CEO of IS-Wireless
The joint effort has been officially announced during the “#5GMadeTogether: Open RAN deployments – what’s next for CEE. 5G” roundtable dedicated to discussing the progress made in the field in Central Eastern Europe, co-hosted by signatories of the agreement. It was held as a side-event to the 5G Techritory, Europe’s leading 5G ecosystem forum in Riga.
Central Eastern Europe looks to Open RAN and private networks
During the discussion, electronic communications officials, governmental representatives, academics, private companies’ representatives and other experts reflected on the progress of Open RAN in the region and considered the potential opportunities and obstacles for years to come.
Interest in private 5G and Open RAN networks is picking up rapidly in Europe. Deployments we’re running in Poland, Germany, UK and other places are proof of that. I am happy to see such a numerous group, coming from diverse backgrounds gathered around the idea of building networks in the Open RAN model and making the most of the private 5G potential
comments Sławomir Pietrzyk, CEO of IS-Wireless
Experts participating in the event exchanged their national experiences and searched for cooperation opportunities aiming to boost the 5G adoption and research in the region.
The side-event meeting held during 5G Techritory 2023 in Riga was supported by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Polish Investment & Trade Agency and CEE Digital Coalition.
Extended R&D cooperation at a new lab
Deployment of the private 5G at the Riga Technical University is not the only joint effort of the parties involved. Partners will be also involved in extended research cooperation at a newly launched mobile networks laboratory at the University.
Launching the laboratory will be the first step towards generating invaluable know-how, competence and experience in our region. The cooperative R&D activity will then allow us to deploy even more advanced private 5G networks for various applications, including industrial use cases
says Sławomir Pietrzyk, CEO of IS-Wireless
The R&D activity carried out at the laboratory will be dedicated to evaluating performance of Open RAN architecture, researching machine learning applications for RIC (Radio Access Network) Intelligent Controller and building private 5G networking testbeds.
It is a very important moment, marking the success of our cooperation. We met just a year ago with the purpose of understanding the changes taking place globally. I believe what we are doing here today is the perfect example of responding to these changes. The cooperation we’ve established, showcasing our ability to take bold steps very fast, is the prime example of our region’s competitive advantage. Launching the laboratory is a great showcase of fast, collaborative progress. It is the perfect example of the research community and the industry coming together to build capacity and innovate
Liene Briede,Vice Rector of Innovations at the Riga Technical University said during the official launch of the laboratory at the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications.