Still no date for delayed 3.5GHz auction and it’s unclear if bandwidth will be available for private networks
Hubraum, part of Deutsche Telekom’s tech incubator, Polish Open RAN software specialist IS-Wireless, Benetel and T–Mobile, have jointly developed and deployed Poland’s first Open RAN-enabled 5G private network.
The network is running at the Hub4Industry in the Astor Robotics Centre in Krakow (picture courtesy of IS-Wireless) and comprises RAN software from IS-Wireless, a mobile core platform from T-Mobile and radio units supplied by Benetel. It was officially launched representatives from the partners and Alex Choi, Chairman of the O-RAN Alliance.
Regulatory framework
Wojciech Pawlak, a technology expert at hubraum, noted, “The upcoming regulatory framework for building private 5G networks may lead to an interesting shift in the industry.”
He is referring to the government’s original intention to reserve part of the band for private networks at the spectrum auction for 3.5GHz frequency, which was scheduled for March 2020, but postponed because of the pandemic and amendments to the National Cybersecurity System Act. It is not clear if the government still intends to allocate spectrum for private networks.
In December 2022, Poland’s telecommunications regulator, UKE, launched a consultation process about the 3.5GHz band, which lasted until the end March, but it is yet to announce a date for spectrum auction. Consequently Poland’s 5G experience is lagging that in other Central and Eastern markets according to a report by Open Signal in April.
New opportunities
Pawlak continued, “Open RAN solutions seem to be a perfect fit for the industry 4.0 and local governments. The situation…is also very promising for hubraum, because of the new opportunities appearing for start-ups and small and medium enterprise.
“There is a lot of promising opportunities in this area, including development of network optimisation applications, ensuring cybersecurity and of course building and maintaining new networks.”
Rafał Sanecki, Head of Marketing at IS-Wireless, wants to take the model to markets outside Poland as well as develop the domestic market. He said, “Companies across the Polish market are looking forward to implementing private 5G networks. Dedicated radio [spectrum] will soon be available for this purpose, according to the national regulator.”
Market looking up
In January, the Dell’Oro research group, Open RAN revenues have accelerated faster pace than initially expected leading the analyst to revise its Open RAN expectations upward, supported by stronger-than-expected O-RAN progress in North America. It now predicts Open RAN will account for 15 to 20% of global RAN by 2027.