03 June 2025

Three UK has successfully concluded one of the UK’s first trials of OpenRAN (O-RAN) technology in a dense urban environment, specifically in Glasgow.

The trial, part of the SCONDA project supported by the UK government’s DSIT, demonstrated impressive results, with peak 4G and 5G data speeds doubling — reaching up to 520Mbps for 5G.

The trial involved deploying compact O-RAN small cells on street furniture such as streetlights and CCTV poles to test the feasibility of urban deployment, which has traditionally been limited to rural or suburban areas. The move aims to increase vendor diversity, interoperability, and cost-efficiency by standardizing radio access network components.

“This is the UK’s first Open RAN trial in a dense city environment, addressing unique technical challenges like legacy system integration and security, while delivering real improvements for customers. The encouraging results lay a strong foundation for expanding Open RAN deployment across urban areas,” said Iain Milligan, Chief Network Officer at Three UK.

Following the successful testing at 18 sites, the project will now expand to 34 Open RAN small cell sites across Glasgow city centre, marking a major milestone for OpenRAN technology in the UK.