FCC’s Democratic commissioners suggest Open RAN tech necessary for 5G dominance

FCC members Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks are urging the commission to consider prioritizing the adoption of open radio access networks, as one way the U.S. can replace equipment and services from untrustworthy providers in the buildout of fifth-generation networks.

At the monthly FCC meeting on Thursday, Rosenworcel encouraged the commission “unlock the RAN” through virtualization, which she said “could help spur the market for more secure 5G equipment.”

“First, we need a whole-of-government approach to advancing open RAN in...