Rakuten Symphony has been selected to receive a grant from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to fortify telecom infrastructure in Eastern Europe. The funding is part of the FY2024 Supplementary Budget’s Subsidy Program for Future-Oriented Co-creation Projects. This specific grant aims to strengthen technical cooperation and support Ukraine reconstruction efforts by introducing modern connectivity frameworks.
At the core of this initiative is a virtualized Open RAN deployment that provides a flexible and highly efficient cloud-native network environment. Rakuten Mobile will participate as a core collaborating partner, sharing its technical and operational expertise. Furthermore, Rakuten Symphony is actively working alongside Kyivstar, the largest telecommunications operator in the nation and a wholly owned subsidiary of VEON. Together, they are evaluating cross-platform compatibility to accelerate next-generation telecommunications.
Transitioning from Laboratory Validation to Field Testing
The companies have already concluded the initial phase of their project, which involved successfully testing the cloud-native network capabilities and validating core features within a 4G laboratory setting. As the program progresses into its second phase, the focus shifts toward expanding these parameters to include both 4G and 5G configurations.
The upcoming 4G LTE field tests will operate on a live commercial network in the vicinity of Kyiv. This stage of the Open RAN deployment will evaluate both distributed RAN (D-RAN) and centralized RAN (C-RAN) architectures. By systematically replacing legacy hardware with open systems, the field tests will demonstrate the resilience and practical benefits of modernized telecom infrastructure. Simultaneously, 5G capabilities will undergo rigorous assessment within a dedicated lab space to prepare for potential commercial rollout.
Establishing Resilient Network Operations for the Future
As challenges related to hardware restoration persist, the swift rebuilding of communication networks remains an urgent priority for Ukraine reconstruction. Through this collaborative project, Rakuten Symphony aims to efficiently reconstruct radio access networks while enhancing the technical frameworks necessary for autonomous network operations. These improvements are intended to support the broader economic recovery of the region.
The total investment for the project is estimated at 710 million yen, with the METI subsidy potentially covering up to 350 million yen. Backed by the Japanese government, Rakuten Symphony and Kyivstar intend to validate stable network operations to formulate a highly scalable business model for future commercial use. By leveraging open specifications, the companies seek to solve pressing telecom infrastructure challenges locally while setting a standard for enhanced telecommunication models globally.