Millicom, owner of Tigo-branded operations across Latin America, said it will become the first operator in the region to deploy Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) infrastructure in partnership with Parallel Wireless. The technology will be used by Millicom’s subsidiary Tigo Colombia to deliver 4G service coverage across 362 rural sites.
The open architecture system decouples the components (hardware and software) of the radio access network and paves the way for faster mobile coverage rollout to remote rural areas above all, said partners. Millicom added that it hoped to foster a broader industrial ecosystem, where both traditional and alternative vendors compete to provide RAN equipment and software for the benefit of rural communities across Latin America.
The operator also described the move as an innovative approach to reducing cost, increasing flexibility and efficiency by diversifying its supplier base. It intends to bring Open RAN technology to more sites across its Latin American markets in coming years to increase 4G penetration in the region and provide the basis for future 5G deployments.
