US communication giant AT&T has completed its first Open RAN call using third-party radios over its commercial network, pushing forward the evolution of wireless networks towards open architectures.
AT&T initially revealed its plan to modernize its wireless network almost two years ago as part of a $14bn deal with Ericsson, described as "industry-defining" and a "pivotal milestone" for the Open RAN industry.
The deal marked a significant step towards the development of a 5G network platform for AT&T, deploying a range of Ericsson's 5G Open Radio Access Networks products and supporting the US operator's nationwide Open RAN ambitions.
Author's summary: AT&T completes first Open RAN call over commercial network.