Open Networks Ecosystem Competition

Apply for up to £80 million of funding to support the development of open network solutions.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is inviting applications to the Open Networks Ecosystem Competition, offering up to £80m of funding in the next phase of the UK Open Networks Research and Development (R&D) Fund.

The competition offers applicants the opportunity to apply for funding to develop a range of software and hardware products that will enable enhanced development and adoption of open and interoperable technology; as well as the opportunity to apply for funding for demonstrations of Open Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies in high demand density environments.

Projects applying to the competition are expected to address one or more of the competition objectives set out below.

• Develop, demonstrate and test approaches to optimising Open RAN network performance in High Demand Density (HDD) environments.
• Develop open and interoperable software, including RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) technologies.
• Develop hardware solutions for open interface infrastructure and reduce/remove barriers to scaled market adoption.

Applicants are permitted to propose projects which cover more than one objective within their application, such as one application addressing multiple technology themes.

This competition is open to applications from consortia with two or more members. All funded activity must take place in the UK and any organisations seeking funding must be UK-registered. Individual organisations are allowed to apply as part of more than one consortia application. 

Find out more about the Open Networks Ecosystem Competition, detailed eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

First published 27 March 2023