2560IF2407
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Purpose: The Wireless Heart of America (WHOA) project aims to re-establish US leadership in the RU market by introducing technology solutions, ready to compete with the global leader in the market for Very-Large-Array (VLA) massive multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) open radio units (O-RUs).
Activities to be performed: Developing and commercializing two VLA O-RU models based on Abside Networks innovative RF-Retina technology, with a clear total cost of ownership return on investment: 50% capacity increase in mountainous regions via elevation sectorization and 30% coverage and capacity increase in other deployment scenarios, thus reducing required tower densities.
Developing a US-based manufacturing-at-scale plan, while maximizing the use of US components vendors for an increased supply chain resilience.
Expected outcomes: Forming a consortium led by the operators, which will act as the living repository for all manufacturing and integration efforts of Team WHOA.
This will ensure the best use of funds disbursed towards commercialization, attracting both new operators and vendors by lowering overhead costs of O-RAN deployments.
The impact on the deployment plans and businesses of approximately 90 regional mobile network operators (MNOs) will be near-immediate: A) Drastically reduced network deployment costs B) Enable fixed wireless access market expansion for regional MNOs as they seek to address unserved and underserved customers C) Enhanced service offerings for the communities they serve.
Intended beneficiaries: Regional MNOs that have been previously dominated by foreign vendors.
The lack of choice has forced these regional MNOs to utilize less capable technology and procure costlier alternatives to provide service.
Subrecipient activities: Northeastern and Virginia Tech will support O-RAN and cyber security compliance testing, leveraging NTIA's NOFO1 project experience; critical world-renowned specialized supporting entities for project management, supply chain, manufacturing, and market analysis.
Activities to be performed: Developing and commercializing two VLA O-RU models based on Abside Networks innovative RF-Retina technology, with a clear total cost of ownership return on investment: 50% capacity increase in mountainous regions via elevation sectorization and 30% coverage and capacity increase in other deployment scenarios, thus reducing required tower densities.
Developing a US-based manufacturing-at-scale plan, while maximizing the use of US components vendors for an increased supply chain resilience.
Expected outcomes: Forming a consortium led by the operators, which will act as the living repository for all manufacturing and integration efforts of Team WHOA.
This will ensure the best use of funds disbursed towards commercialization, attracting both new operators and vendors by lowering overhead costs of O-RAN deployments.
The impact on the deployment plans and businesses of approximately 90 regional mobile network operators (MNOs) will be near-immediate: A) Drastically reduced network deployment costs B) Enable fixed wireless access market expansion for regional MNOs as they seek to address unserved and underserved customers C) Enhanced service offerings for the communities they serve.
Intended beneficiaries: Regional MNOs that have been previously dominated by foreign vendors.
The lack of choice has forced these regional MNOs to utilize less capable technology and procure costlier alternatives to provide service.
Subrecipient activities: Northeastern and Virginia Tech will support O-RAN and cyber security compliance testing, leveraging NTIA's NOFO1 project experience; critical world-renowned specialized supporting entities for project management, supply chain, manufacturing, and market analysis.
Awardee
Funding Goals
TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT, DEPLOYMENT, AND ADOPTION OF OPEN AND INTEROPERABLE RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS (RAN). IN THIS SECOND NOFO, NTIA AIMS TO ADVANCE OPEN RADIO UNIT (RU) COMMERCIALIZATION AND INNOVATION BY FUNDING ACTIVITIES THAT 1) ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPEN RU PRODUCTS TO THE POINT WHERE THEY MEET CARRIER NEEDS AND ARE READY FOR COMMERCIAL TRIALS, AND 2) IMPROVE THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND CAPABILITIES OF OPEN RUS THROUGH TARGETED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Concord,
Massachusetts
01742-3833
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Abside Networks was awarded
Revolutionizing US Wireless Technology: WHOA Project VLA O-RU Innovation
Project Grant 2560IF2407
worth $46,808,486
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in January 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Concord Massachusetts United States.
The grant
has a duration of 2 years and
was awarded through assistance program 11.038 Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Expanding Testing and Evaluation.
$9,424,299 (17.0%) of this Project Grant was funded by non-federal sources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program - Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 12/20/24
Period of Performance
1/1/25
Start Date
12/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$46.8M
Federal Obligation
$9.4M
Non-Federal Obligation
$56.2M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2560IF2407
SAI Number
2560IF2407_0
Award ID URI
EXE
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
1333ND DEPT OF COMMERCE NIST
Funding Office
1331K2 DEPT OF COMMERCE NTIA
Awardee UEI
PRWDNBY7SJ93
Awardee CAGE
6TZU7
Performance District
MA-03
Senators
Edward Markey
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
Modified: 12/20/24