NTIA Gets Diversity of Advice on Role DOD Could Play in ORAN

Major carriers disagreed on what the government should do to move forward based on a 5G Challenge notice of inquiry proposed by NTIA in cooperation with DOD (see 2101080021). Verizon didn’t comment nor did most major associations, we were told this week. Filings were due Tuesday and will likely be posted next week, an NTIA spokesperson said. The FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act instructed DOD to carry out a “demonstration project to evaluate the maturity, performance and cost of covered technologies to provide additional options for providers of fifth-generation wireless network services.” T-Mobile urged caution, noting efforts on open radio access networks underway. “Keep in mind the work that the wireless industry has already performed, and will continue to perform, to develop these technologies,” T-Mobile said: “Open network interfaces are already a part of 3rd Generation Partnership Project 5G protocols.” Rather than pursuing the challenge, the Pentagon could “accelerate 5G network diversity by taking advantage of the work that, among others, 3GPP has already performed to implement solutions unique to DoD,” the company said. “It can also work with Congress to seek funding for and implement the already-established 5G grant program intended to accomplish exactly what the NOI seemingly hopes to achieve through the Challenge,” the carrier said. AT&T said the challenge could help DOD fulfill requirements under the NDAA and “demonstrate the value” of ORANs. “Such action can send a strong signal not only to the U.S. marketplace and investment community but also to our international partners," the telco said: “Establish a true plug and play environment open to any vendor that is compatible and with published, open interfaces to ensure interoperability.” NTIA and DOD have a “unique opportunity to augment the progress and impact of related efforts across the federal government as part of a whole-of-nation 5G effort,” the Open RAN Policy Coalition commented: “The success of this Challenge, like the success of 5G itself, depends on engaging a broad set of diverse stakeholders.” Prioritize “real-world applications rather than basic research,” the coalition urged: “Clarify the terms, scope and goals of the challenge to support open and interoperable interfaces.”