OTICs are vendor-independent, open, and qualified labs approved by the O-RAN Alliance

The O-RAN Alliance ecently accredited two new Open Testing and Integration Centers (OTIC) which adds to the existing O-RAN ecosystem.

The O-RAN Alliance said in a release that the new OTICs are MITRE in the United States and TTA in South Korea.

OTICs are vendor-independent, open and qualified labs approved by the O-RAN Alliance, which issue awards in the O-RAN certification and badging program, to ensure interoperability and the ability for solutions to be deployed at scale.

“Joining the ever-expanding O-RAN ecosystem, MITRE and TTA are set to play pivotal roles in advancing our mission towards more open and interoperable network technologies. Their involvement marks a significant step forward in the global expansion and influence of the O-RAN initiative,” said Alex Jinsung Choi, chairman of the O-RAN Alliance.

“MITRE, with its rich history in driving technological innovations and a deep-rooted commitment to public service, is perfectly positioned to lead the charge in the United States. Their expertise will undoubtedly enhance the testing and integration capabilities within the O-RAN community,” Choi said.

“TTA brings a wealth of network equipment and software testing and certification knowledge and experience to the table. Their participation is a testament to the growing international collaboration and diversity within the O-RAN ecosystem,” he added.

In August, the O-RAN Alliance approved four testbeds, three of which are operated by the Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR), as new Open Testing and Integration Centres (OTICs) in North America.

The PAWR locations include the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things at Northeastern University, which is home to the massive, software-defined Colosseum testbed; the POWDER testbed in Salt Lake City; the ARA testbed in central Iowa, focused on research for connectivity in rural areas. The fourth new OTIC is located in the Washington, D.C./Arlington, Virginia area and is a partnership between Virginia Tech, AT&T, Dish Network and Verizon. That Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) xG Testbed at Virginia Tech focuses on interoperability, programmabilty and security.