The UK government has announced a new GBP 30 million competition to make the UK a global leader in developing and building next-generation 5G networks. The scheme is a key part of the 5G Diversification Strategy to tackle the world's over-reliance on a small number of vendors.
The Future RAN Competition (FRANC) will be used to fund R&D projects to drive the adoption of new Open RAN wireless communications technology. This technology allows equipment from multiple vendors to be used in 5G networks. Technology and telecoms companies can submit proposals to projects that will help accelerate availability of viable Open RAN products and suppliers. Applications must be submitted by 27 August, with the winning FRANC projects announced in autumn 2021. The launch of the competition follows the launch of a new GBP 1 million lab to drive Open RAN technology adoption.
Meanwhile, the UK government has announced the appointment of Simon Blagden, former non-executive chair of Fujitsu UK, as chairman of the new Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification Advisory Council. This new independent group of experts will succeed the Telecoms Diversification Taskforce, which published its final report in April. The government has also published its response to the report, outlining how it will move forward with the taskforce's recommendations across four areas. One of those recommendations was the establishment of a permanent external body to advise the government on the delivery of its diversification strategy. This role will be handled by the new Advisory Council.
