Overview
- Headquarters: Nashua, NH
- Offices and R&D locations: Bristol (UK), Kfar Sava (Israel), Pune, Bengaluru (India)
- Years in operation: Dec 2012
- Key personnel: Steve Papa (CEO, Chairman, and Founder)
- Market: Open Radio access network
- Key proposition: All ‘G’ Open RAN solutions
- Employees: 500-1000
- Market cap/valuation: Around $350M in Jan 2018
Market Context
Journey to Open RAN
2016- Parallel Wireless has raised a total of US$8.8 million in funding over 2 years. Parallel Wireless raised its latest funding in 2016, with its key milestone being 4G network solutions for rural areas.
2017- 3G solutions for rural areas
2018- 2G solutions for rural areas
2021- All G solutions for urban and rural areas.
Product Portfolio
*Boxes in pink indicate: Parallel Wireless capabilities
Parallel Wireless offers a comprehensive end-to-end product portfolio across every layer of the network infrastructure stack, with a broad range of ecosystem partners. Its capabilities include:
- Radio Intelligence Controller,
- All ‘G’ Open RAN software
- Edge core software,
- Analytics,
- and an ecosystem of hardware radios and server providers, which supports the majority of 3GPP-compliant DU/CU splits.
R&D
Over the last few years, Parallel Wireless has been strengthening its position in the Open RAN landscape by developing its global team, doubling its numbers in Engineering, IT, Quality Assurance, and Program & Project Management. But the way forward is through expanding its research and development capabilities, which the vendor has planned in each location:
USA
Open RAN testing facility brings together a diverse hardware and software suppliers’ ecosystem to assure the interoperability and cutting-edge mobile networks. On top of that, Quality Assurance and Systems Engineering expansion plans are in the works to further strengthen the portfolio of All G — 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G Open RAN networks.
UK
Parallel Wireless possesses an expanding team with extensive experience in:
- wireless infrastructure product architecture
- design,
- implementation and integration,
- and a unique speciality in high-performance COTS compute platforms and applications.
Israel
In Open RAN network automation, Parallel Wireless leads the way, utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to enable intelligent network management and operations.
India
The R&D Centers in India are expanding into developing and testing:
- cloud-native RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs),
- 4G and 5G DU, and CU software,
- and 2×2 and 4×4 O-RAN Alliance compliant radios.
Approach and go to market
Partner ecosystem
Deployments and trials
| Indosat Ooredoo — successful field trials including proof of concept and functional testing – a vital step of validation of Open RAN in Indonesia |
| Optus — deployed Open RAN solutions from Parallel Wireless – provides 4G-based mobile connectivity – for customers in remote and underserved areas |
| Vodafone — successful deployment of Open RAN solutions across Ireland to deliver 4G – list of partners include – RRU from Comba telecoms, baseband unit from Supermicro, and DU/CU software from Parallel Wireless |
| Inland Cellular — network expansion of 4G – a foundation for future 5G services by using Parallel wireless solutions |
| Optimera Cellular — fully virtualised 4G network based on Open RAN solutions – networks can easily upgrade to 5G – enabling operational efficiency and investment protection for Optimera |
| Internet Para Todos — IPT Peru has deployed hundreds of new sites in Peru - using Parallel Wireless fully virtualised and automated Open RAN architecture |
| Millicom — first phase of deployment to be completed in 2022 – expansion and new roll-outs over the next few years using Open RAN solutions |
| Etisalat — partnership with Parallel Wireless - deliver cloud-native O-RAN compliant 5G, 4G, 3G, and 2G Open RAN solutions – a collaboration with Intel and Supermicro |
| MTN — expansion across Africa in collaboration with our partners Altiostar, Mavenir, Parallel Wireless, TechMahindra, and Voyage |
| Cellcom — deployed Open Ran solutions – expands coverage into the Midwest |
| Zain — Fully virtualise 2G and 3G networks through Parallel Wireless unified 2G/3G/4G/5G mobile architecture – experiencing cost savings, operational efficiency, and future-proofing their networks for 4G and 5G |
Why Parallel Wireless is an important player
- Parallel Wireless offers a comprehensive portfolio of Open RAN solutions in partnership with leading vendors. Its key product is the unified All G(5G/4G/3G/2G) software-enabled solution that helps customers easily upgrade, and reduce deployment cost and complexity.
- Parallel Wireless is constantly expanding its R&D capabilities across different regions. Recently, Parallel Wireless launched a new R&D lab in Canada to provide the best solutions for MNOs across Canada and beyond.
- Successful deployments by Parallel Wireless in rural and urban areas make them one of the leading vendors. The company is engaged with the leading operators (Vodafone, IPT/Telefonica, MTN, Zain, Etisalat, Cellcom, Inland Cellular, OptimEra, Optus publicly announced) worldwide.
- As the industry moves towards more field trials and deployments, the partner ecosystem is growing for Open RAN in radios, servers, and core. Parallel Wireless also recently announced a partnership with Juniper Networks for their RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) to host different xApp/rApps.
- Parallel Wireless has been one of the competitive vendors in the Open RAN landscape and is quickly adapting, growing over the years to fight against the traditional vendors. It plans to double its employee base by the end of 2022 to meet the expectations of Open RAN. Also, the company is expanding its partner ecosystem through research and development, including more field trials with MNOs and other vendors.
With a comprehensive portfolio of solutions, successful deployments and trials with mobile network operators and expanded R&D capabilities, Parallel Wireless is one of the leading vendors in the Open RAN landscape.
Read our report on Mavenir and Altiostar to see how Parallel Wireless is positioning itself in this ecosystem.