5G OpenRAN interoperability boost with UK centre March 01, 2021 // By Nick Flaherty The SONIC centre will test out interoperability of 5G OpenRAN hardware and software in the UK, with eight companies signing up initially. Eight 5G system developers have joined a UK centre for interoperability testing of OpenRAN technology. The SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre (SONIC) is a joint programme between UK research programme Digital Catapult and UK regulator Ofcom to test interoperability and integration of open networking solutions. SONIC will start with OpenRAN testing in May, combining laboratory capabilities with real world indoor and outdoor deployments. The solution providers taking part in SONIC include Accelleran in the Netherlands, Phluido, Effnet in Sweden, Benetel in Ireland, Mavenir, Foxconn, NEC and Radisys.