Viavi Options has formally opened its Viavi Automated Lab-as-a-Service (VALOR) Open RAN testing facility in Chandler, Arizona, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior administration, prospects, companions, and authorities officers. The ability, funded by a grant from the US Nationwide Telecommunications and Data Administration (NTIA) Public Wi-fi Provide Chain Innovation Fund, goals to reinforce Open RAN interoperability, efficiency, and safety, Viavi mentioned on Tuesday.
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Testing Options with Pay-as-You-Go Mannequin
The corporate says VALOR supplies a completely automated, neutral Lab-as-a-Service and Take a look at-as-a-Service suite designed to democratise entry to testing capabilities, which had been beforehand restricted to giant trade gamers. With a “pay-as-you-go” mannequin, it allows new entrants and startups to pursue US certification with out vital investments in {hardware} and software program.
“VALOR addresses the challenges to speed up Open RAN adoption and encourage competitors by offering entry to check capabilities that, sometimes, have solely been throughout the attain of huge, established gamers,” Viavi mentioned.
This facility enhances present trade testing labs and is the primary authorised service by the Telecom Infra Challenge for system efficiency certification. A devoted on-line portal that permits prospects to schedule assessments and generate efficiency experiences.
Collaboration Enhances Testing Capabilities
VALOR additionally integrates applied sciences, together with the NITRO Wi-fi Open RAN Take a look at Suite and the VAMOS (Viavi Automation Administration and Orchestration System) unified framework, alongside collaborations with companions like Rohde and Schwarz and ETS-Lindgren for complete testing options, TelecomTalk beforehand reported.
“Opening of the VALOR lab is a crucial step in democratising Open RAN testing for know-how distributors by offering them with fast entry to complete end-to-end options for every thing from product growth to efficiency stress assessments,” mentioned Oleg Khaykin, President and Chief Govt Officer, Viavi.
“Supporting the companies of present trade take a look at labs, VALOR closes present take a look at gaps and is about to play a key function in accelerating Open RAN adoption and inspiring new entrants to the Open RAN ecosystem.”
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Over 500 Take a look at Circumstances Accessible
Providing over 500 take a look at instances compliant with O-RAN and 3GPP specs, VALOR helps varied testing companies, together with efficiency validation and situation testing, the corporate mentioned.
Sarah Skaluba, NTIA Particular Coverage Advisor, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the important function of testing in making certain Open RAN’s success.