Digital networks integrator Sterlite Technologies (STL) said it is collaborating with Facebook Connectivity to design and develop 4G and 5G radio products as part of the Evenstar program.

Through the collaboration, both STL and Facebook Connectivity are aiming to accelerate the commercial deployment of Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) and boost the 5G readiness of telcos around the world, an official statement said Tuesday.

The concept of Open RAN essentially means telcos can disaggregate hardware and software components of the network. This allows them to source technology products from different suppliers to co-exist with various software providers. With this, companies can get the hardware such as radio made from contract manufacturers and integrate it with the software based on Open RAN.

Meanwhile, the Evenstar program is a collaborative effort by Facebook Connectivity and global industry players to accelerate the adoption of Open RAN technology.

As part of the latest collaboration, STL said it will build two advanced, high-power macro radio products. Of this, the first one is an O-RAN compliant radio providing higher capacity for dense deployments.

STL will also develop an O-RAN compliant 4G+5G dual-technology radio that is said to support both networks technologies individually and/or concurrently.

These 3GPP and O-RAN compliant radio products will be developed over the next year and will be available to telcos for scaling up commercial deployment of Open RAN infrastructure and will enable them to ready their networks for 5G networks based on Open RAN, the statement added.

“The Evenstar program is a part of our efforts to accelerate the availability and commercial readiness of Open RAN solutions, and we are excited to have STL on board. We look forward to working with STL to continue shifting the industry towards open, disaggregated, and more vendor-agnostic 5G networks,’ said Jaydeep Ranade, Director of Wireless Engineering for Facebook Connectivity.

“We are delighted to support and contribute to the Evenstar program to develop 3GPP and O-RAN compliant radio products…. By enabling an open networking infrastructure through efforts like this one, we are enabling global telecom service providers to take the power of 5G technology to billions of people worldwide at lower cost points,” added Chris Rice, CEO of Access Solutions Business, STL.

STL has previously launched a suite of open networking products, including 5G wireless products such as Garuda indoor small cells, 5G multi-band macro radios, and WiFi-6 carrier-grade access solutions that are being tested with telcos in the US, UK, and the APAC.