A new agreement between wireless developer Parallel Wireless, Inc. and the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) calls for the Parallel Virtualized Open RAN offering to be available to CCA wireless carrier members. The offering is designed to accelerate and enable carriers’ 4G expansion and 5G network migration.
CCA members are largely focused on rural areas, and according to the partners, the offering will help the members to better serve rural America.
Just under 80% (78%) of the U.S. rural population has access to the Internet, compared to 92% in urban areas, according to a 2019 Statista report. The primary challenges, according to the CCA and Parallel Wireless, are the cost of deployment, access to spectrum, equipment interoperability and high operational cost in low density areas.
Meanwhile, rural carriers are looking for cost-effective network solutions that will improve their business models and help them to not only survive but also thrive with 4G expanding and 5G on the horizon, today’s announcement notes.
“CCA is pleased to partner with Parallel Wireless to provide our members with a fully-virtualized 4G and 5G Open RAN solution that is flexible and optimized for cost-effective rural coverage,” said Steven K. Berry, president and CEO of CCA, in a prepared statement. “The goal is to help smaller carriers reduce deployment cost, increase revenues, provide ubiquitous connectivity for their customers, whether businesses or individuals, and get their networks ready for 5G, and we are delighted to work with Parallel Wireless in this special partnership.”
“We are excited to support CCA members by offering our innovative and cost-effective 4G and 5G solutions,” said Steve Libbey, vice president of sales for Parallel Wireless, in a prepared statement. “We are confident that deployment of Parallel Wireless’s unique architecture can help bridge the digital divide and enable business transformation. We’re looking forward to continuing to support CCA and their members to help them achieve their business goals.”
