Country for PR: United States
Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Monday, June 28 2021 - 16:00
AsiaNet
Parallel Wireless Announces First and Only 2G, 4G Open RAN trial using x86 COTS Server and NFVi with Axiata in Dialog, Sri Lanka
NASHUA, N.H., June 28, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/--

Parallel Wireless, Inc. ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3209822-1&h=3670976217&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parallelwireless.com%2F%3F%26utm_source%3Dnewswire%26utm_medium%3Dpress-release%26utm_campaign%3Dpress-release%26utm_content%3Daxiata%26utm_term%3Dpr06-2021&a=Parallel+Wireless%2C+Inc. 
), the U.S.-based Open RAN company delivering the world's leading All G, 
cloud-native Open RAN solution, is proud to have been selected by Axiata Group 
Berhad as a strategic partner providing O-RAN networks for the group's digital 
telcos across Southeast Asia and South Asia, enabling both 2G and 4G broadband 
connectivity. 

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1004727/PW_FullColor_CMYK_Logo.jpg 

Headquartered in Malaysia, Axiata is one of the leading Mobile Network 
Operators (MNOs) in Asia operating digital telcos, digital businesses and 
infrastructure with a vision to be the Next Generation Digital Champion by 
2024. Through digital telco operations in Malaysia (Celcom), Indonesia (XL), 
Sri Lanka (Dialog), Bangladesh (Robi), Cambodia (Smart) and Nepal (Ncell) 
serving approximately 157 million customers, Axiata is preparing to offer 2G 
and 4G wireless broadband connectivity from the same radio utilizing 1800 MHz 
spectrum, providing voice and data services using leading edge technology.

This trial was unique, as it included replacing incumbent infrastructure with 
Parallel Wireless Open RAN solutions where planning, design, commissioning, 
integration, testing, and optimization was performed remotely by the team amid 
Covid-19 restrictions.  A single radio unit with 4G and 2G technology was 
installed, with baseband on a SuperMicro (NASDAQ: SMCI) Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) 
x86 COTS platform and other centralized applications were installed on Axiata's 
existing OpenStack cloud infrastructure. The 3-Sector, 4-Sector and 6-Sector 
field trials were flawless, carrying commercial traffic and demonstrating 
quality network performance on par with incumbents. Axiata is targeting 
commercial deployment in Q4 2021. 

Along with our expertise in deploying Open RAN networks, Parallel Wireless will 
partner with a broad ecosystem of suppliers for cost-effective solutions. By 
partnering with a best-in-class ecosystem of vendors, Parallel Wireless can 
provide lower cost, high quality hardware, agility of deployments, and 
innovative services. Our partners include: 

    - Standalone Open RAN radios from partners such as GigaTera 
      Communications and Comba Telecommunications ("Comba Telecom" or 
      "the Group," Hong Kong stock code: 2342) providing 2G and 4G 
       services from the same radio over 1800 MHz spectrum.
  
    - State-of-the-art servers provided by SuperMicro.

Working in partnership with Parallel Wireless, Axiata will be able to expand 
and grow their wireless networks, providing next-generation digital services to 
customers throughout Asia by:

    - Building an O-RAN, cloud-native, Open RAN world-class network 
      solution, which is based on Parallel Wireless's high-performance, 
      distributed architecture.
  
    - Leveraging their OpenStack cloud infrastructure to deploy an NFVi 
     Open RAN controller. 
  
    - Improving service agility and reducing overall Total Cost of 
      Ownership (TCO) across geographically distributed sites, with 
      the introduction of RAN automation.

Thomas Hundt, Executive Vice President -- Technology at  Axiata, said, "We are 
committed to Open RAN and this trial proves that Open RAN solutions can be 
deployed on COTS and cloud infrastructure, whilst at the same time meeting Key 
Performance Indicators (KPIs). This enables us to expand and enhance customer 
experience with 2G and 4G broadband services throughout our footprint in Asia, 
especially expanding coverage into currently underserved markets."

Keith Johnson, President of Parallel Wireless said "We are honored to partner 
with Axiata, replacing their incumbent vendors equipment with our leading-edge 
Open RAN Solution to enable 2G and 4G broadband services in Sri Lanka and with 
other Axiata subsidiaries. We are thrilled that the trials are successful, and 
we look forward to the commercial deployments in 2021."

About Parallel Wireless

At Parallel Wireless, we believe that software has the power to unleash amazing 
opportunities for the world. We disrupt the ways wireless networks are built 
and operated. We are reimagining how hardware, software, and the cloud work 
together to change deployment economics for our customers. Our ALL G (2G 3G 4G 
5G) O-RAN compliant software platform forms an open, secure, and intelligent 
RAN architecture to deliver wireless connectivity, so all people can be 
connected whenever, wherever, and however they choose. We are deploying with 
leading global MNOs and have been recognized with over 74 industry awards. At 
the core of what we do is our team of Reimaginers who value innovation, 
collaboration, openness, and customer success. For more information, visit: 
www.parallelwireless.com ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3209822-1&h=3006192195&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parallelwireless.com%2F&a=www.parallelwireless.com 
). Connect with Parallel Wireless on LinkedIn ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3209822-1&h=1386153116&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fparallel-wireless-inc-%2F&a=LinkedIn 
) and Twitter ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3209822-1&h=2928872871&u=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FParallel_tw&a=Twitte).


About Axiata 

As one of the leading telecommunications groups in Asia in pursuit of its 
vision to be The Next Generation Digital Champion by 2024, Axiata has 
transformed itself from a holding entity with a portfolio of pure-play mobile 
assets into a Triple Core Strategy driven business focusing on Digital Telco, 
Digital Businesses, and Infrastructure.

Within ASEAN and South Asia, the Group has controlling stakes in market-leading 
mobile and fixed operators in the region including 'Celcom' in Malaysia, 'XL' 
in Indonesia, 'Dialog' in Sri Lanka, 'Robi' in Bangladesh, 'Smart' in Cambodia 
and 'Ncell' in Nepal. Axiata is actively spearheading efforts to transform its 
mobile-centric operations into digital converged companies.

Axiata Digital, the digital services arm of Axiata is focused on two digital 
business verticals namely Digital Financial Services ('Boost', 'Aspirasi') and 
Digital Analytics & AI ('ADA').

'edotco', the Group's infrastructure company, operates in eight countries to 
deliver telecommunications infrastructure services, amassing approximately 
32,800 towers. Presently the 16th largest independent tower companies globally, 
it aims to be one of the top regional telecommunications tower companies and is 
committed to responsible and sustainable business operations.

As a committed and long-term investor, and in line with its sustainability 
goals, the Group actively supports and drives young talent development; 
disaster response and recovery; as well as green initiatives. Axiata's broader 
goal of Advancing Asia aims to piece together the best in the region in terms 
of innovation, connectivity and talent.

SOURCE:  Parallel Wireless 

CONTACT: Susan Layne
         slayne@parallelwireless.com
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