The other six device makers are Alpha Networks (Taiwan); HFR (Korea); Microelectronics Technology (Taiwan); SOLiD Inc (Korea); VVDN Technologies (India); and WNC (Taiwan)

Kyocera will open its proprietary platforms to promote the adoption of interoperable and flexible radio networks (Open RAN), and the newly formed alliance plans to expand its membership gradually in the future.

Current 5G wireless networks are primarily composed of CUs (Central Units), DUs (Distributed Units), and RUs (Radio Units), installed either independently or partially integrated.

"Since the interfaces connecting these components are not publicly available, only devices from the same supplier or those with compatible interfaces can connect to the infrastructure," Kyocera says.

"While procuring CU/DU/RU equipment from a single supplier may offer network operators certain benefits, it also limits system configuration freedom due to supplier-proprietary specifications and performance constraints.

The O-RAN Alliance was formed to address this limitation in response to demand for 5G RANs that allow interconnection between devices from different suppliers.

Achieving openness requires collaboration among suppliers and telecom operators, as well as new components, including CUs, DUs, and RUs.

According to Kyocera, the O-RU Alliance will create an ecosystem where companies from different regions and nations can collaborate to build more flexible wireless networks.

"By providing O-RAN-compliant CU/DU/RU system solutions to telecom operators, the alliance aims to promote Open RAN adoption," says Kyocera.

"This initiative will not only facilitate 5G base station market entry for more suppliers but will also invigorate the telecommunications infrastructure market."

Kyocera says it will provide O-RAN-compliant CUs and DUs ("O-CUs" and "O-DUs") to alliance members for joint interoperability testing.

The Japanese device maker will also disclose a reference design for the O-RAN interface processing unit of O-RUs to alliance members, enabling them to enhance interconnectivity with Kyocera's O-CUs/O-DUs.

Finally, Kyocera will publicly introduce member suppliers to telecom operators, to facilitate selection of O-RUs from a range of suppliers while enabling those suppliers to pursue business opportunities.