Hughes Network Systems, a subsidiary of EchoStar, has received a $6.5 million contract to deploy a 5G open radio access network, or ORAN, prototype for the U.S. Army and Department of Defense.
The 5G ORAN prototype featuring a RAN Intelligent Controller, or RIC, will allow the Army to examine RIC-based applications for military networks and explore communications for mobile command posts, EchoStar announced Tuesday. The project is a collaboration between the U.S. Army, the DOD chief information officer and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
Dan Rasmussen, senior vice president of the North American enterprise at Hughes Network Systems, said, “This contract award is an important step forward for the U.S. Department of Defense’s efforts to develop next-generation communications networks that can empower innovative applications.”
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The 5G Open RAN Prototype
As the prime contractor for the 5G Open RAN prototype, Hughes will demonstrate, test and integrate an RIC in the Army’s test network. Hughes will also incorporate ORAN infrastructure, engineering acumen and 5G spectrum from EchoStar company Boost Mobile.
The prototype’s equipment will first be installed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, to operate a temporary network for testing purposes and is expected to be implemented into Hughes’ commercial network following the initial test.
“The EchoStar team is looking forward to collaborating with the U.S. Army to test and evaluate specific military use cases that leverage 5G ORAN and the RAN Intelligent Controller,” noted Rasmussen. “The Fort Bliss program will pave the way for further RIC exploration, enhancing network performance for both U.S. government and commercial applications.”
The Open RAN prototype is also designed to reach significant strategic milestones that support fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act requirements for DOD efforts to reshape the supply chain.
EchoStar’s Recent Work With the Military
In August, EchoStar companies Hughes Network Systems and Boost Mobile tested a 5G network designed to aid the U.S. Navy’s primary, alternate, contingency and emergency communication plans.