Chunghwa Telecom, MTI partner to secure NTIA funding for Open RAN

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) has partnered with Microelectronics Technology Inc. (MTI) to secure its place as one of the seven global recipients of the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO2) program. 

MTI was selected from a competitive pool of 227 applicants worldwide and successfully secured nearly USD 35 million in funding. This program aims to promote the global adoption of Open RAN technology by providing financial support to high-quality vendors worldwide. The initiative seeks to enhance their R&D efficiency and accelerate their market deployment effectiveness.

With the successful grant from the U.S. NOFO2 program, Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories will support MTI in validating outdoor high-power Open RAN solutions. This effort aims to accelerate the maturity of the Open RAN ecosystem and help more Taiwanese vendors achieve international recognition.

Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories’ 5G Open RAN Lab is equipped with multi-vendor system integration and interoperability testing capabilities. By integrating user equipment, Open RAN base stations, and core networks, the lab provides end-to-end 5G Open RAN solutions for both indoor low-power and outdoor high-power applications. These comprehensive capabilities empower Taiwan's Open RAN vendors to perform system testing before expanding into overseas markets. The lab's robust system integration expertise and credible, authoritative reporting were instrumental in MTI securing the funding.

Chunghwa Telecom, MTI partner to secure NTIA funding

Tian-Tsair Su, President of Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories, stated:
"Chunghwa Telecom possesses abundant R&D capabilities and continues to drive forward-looking technology development and industry collaboration. Since 2021, we have actively participated in the National Development Council's Asia Silicon Valley 5G Open Network Promotion Project, striving to integrate domestic and international academia, industry, and research resources to create diverse 5G application scenarios and solutions. Through this collaboration with MTI on the NOFO2 project, we aim to deepen partnerships with government agencies, domestic industry leaders, and international partners, accelerating the commercialization and implementation of related technologies."

Eugene Wu, CEO of Microelectronics Technology Inc., stated: "Receiving funding support from the U.S. government is a significant milestone for MTI. This investment will drive breakthroughs in wireless innovation and provide advanced solutions for global mobile network users. By leveraging CHT’s expertise in Open RAN, we will deepen our collaboration, shape the future of global wireless technology, and introduce next-generation wireless solutions to the U.S. and international markets."