In a significant step toward the widespread adoption of Open RAN, VIAVI Solutions Inc. has partnered with AT&T and Verizon’s Acceleration of Compatibility and Commercialisation for Open RAN Deployments (ACCoRD) project.
This collaboration, funded by the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, aims to streamline Open RAN testing, enhance interoperability, and strengthen the global telecom supply chain.
As part of the initiative, VIAVI’s Automated Lab-as-a-Service for Open RAN (VALOUR™) will integrate with ACCoRD to support next-generation network testing.
VIAVI will equip ACCoRD labs at Iowa State University and Rutgers University with its NITRO® Wireless Open RAN Test Suite, powered by the VIAVI Automation Management and Orchestration System (VAMOS). In 2026, VIAVI will further extend its test solutions to the University of Texas at Dallas, ensuring long-term sustainability beyond the NTIA grant period.
Key stakeholders in the project reaffirmed their commitment to revolutionising Open RAN deployments:
- Robert Soni, VP, RAN Technology at AT&T, emphasised the significance of this partnership:
“At AT&T, we are committed to driving network innovation. By collaborating with VIAVI and Verizon through ACCoRD, we are accelerating Open RAN testing and improving network flexibility for all stakeholders.” - Steven Rice, VP, Network Planning at Verizon, highlighted the role of Open RAN in reshaping the telecom landscape:
“Verizon has long championed Open RAN adoption, advocating for competition, innovation, and cost-efficiency. This collaboration with VIAVI and AT&T in the ACCoRD labs is a critical step toward developing robust, high-performance Open RAN networks.” - Oleg Khaykin, President and CEO of VIAVI, reinforced VIAVI’s leadership in Open RAN testing:
“VALOUR’s integration with ACCoRD ensures the development of a comprehensive Open RAN testing ecosystem. With our automated, cloud-based testing framework, we are paving the way for more efficient and scalable Open RAN deployments.”
ACCoRD brings together leading telecom operators, technology providers, and academic institutions to streamline Open RAN testing, evaluation, and R&D. The initiative is based in the Dallas area, with a satellite location in Washington, D.C. Founding members include NTT DOCOMO and Reliance Jio, alongside academic partners:
- University of Texas at Dallas
- Virginia Tech
- Northeastern University
- Iowa State University
- Rutgers University
VIAVI’s VALOUR lab plays a pivotal role in the collaboration by offering a hybrid lab-as-a-service and test-as-a-service platform, leveraging its NITRO® Wireless test portfolio to support 5G and Open RAN deployments with minimal setup time.
With the telecom industry shifting toward open and interoperable networks, the VIAVI-ACCoRD collaboration is poised to accelerate Open RAN adoption, reduce barriers for new entrants, and ensure seamless multi-vendor network integration. As Open RAN technology gains momentum, this partnership represents a crucial milestone in the evolution of next-generation wireless infrastructure.
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