VIAVI Solutions Inc. has been chosen to design and operate a new Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) Laboratory in the Philippines. This initiative, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to bolster Open RAN technology and facilitate the entry of new market players while empowering the local workforce in advanced telecom skills.
A Technological Leap in Quezon City
The state-of-the-art lab, set to open in Quezon City, Metro Manila, will operate under VIAVI’s Automated Lab-as-a-Service (VALOR™) model. The project is part of a collaboration with the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Electronics and Electrical Engineering Institute (EEEI) and Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA). Funded by USAID's Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) Project, the lab was one of the critical agreements reached during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to the White House in 2023.
VIAVI’s laboratory is dedicated to making Open RAN testing more accessible and affordable while ensuring interoperability across vendors. This cutting-edge, automated testing facility will employ tools such as VIAVI’s NITRO Wireless Open RAN Test Suite, TM500 Network Tester for UE and RU emulation, and the OneAdvisor 800 for wireless spectrum analysis. As products integrate into this multi-vendor setting, validation is conducted using advanced test orchestration, analysis, and reporting features of VIAVI’s Automation Management and Orchestration System (VAMOS).
A Collaborative Mission for Digital Advancement
USAID Philippines’ Director Amy Lovejoy emphasized the lab’s significance in fostering a competitive, open network environment, saying, “By promoting open architecture, we foster innovation, empower local operators, drive competition, and ultimately expand life-changing digital access for the Filipino people.” This reflects the shared goals of both President Joe Biden and President Marcos in creating a digitally empowered Indo-Pacific region.
The lab is also expected to support UP’s ongoing research efforts and is already contributing to the digital transformation in the Philippines through USAID-backed scholarships for connectivity research. UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II commented, “The Open RAN Laboratory will greatly support UP in our mission to enhance connectivity for all Filipinos.”
A Path to the Future of Telecom
Rajesh Rao, Vice President for Asia Pacific South at VIAVI, expressed optimism for the project’s regional impact. "Our globally proven NITRO Wireless test suite, automated by the VAMOS framework, integrates best-in-class products to provide a robust test environment,” Rao said, adding that VIAVI looks forward to aiding the development of interoperable telecom infrastructure in 5G and paving the way for 6G innovations.
Funded by the U.S. NTIA Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, VALOR represents VIAVI’s commitment to advancing Open RAN technology globally.
Click here for more information on Open Radio Access Network.
