Tokyo, January 26, 2026 – Rakuten Symphony today announced that it was awarded O-RAN conformance certification*1 and O-RAN Interoperability (IOT) Badge certification*2 by Japan OTIC*3, an O-RAN ALLIANCE testing and certification partner providing conformance certification and interoperability testing based on O-RAN test specifications*3.
Building on the O-RAN End-to-End (E2E) Badge certification awarded in January 2024*4,5, Rakuten Symphony has now acquired all three classes of certifications defined by the O-RAN Certification and Badging Program.
The certifications were issued following rigorous verification by Japan OTIC. During the O-RAN conformance certification testing, Rakuten Symphony's distributed unit (DU) was validated, confirming its adherence to O-RAN specifications for basic functionality and security features when connecting via an O-RAN interface. Subsequently, the O-RAN Interoperability (IOT) Badge certification successfully demonstrated mutual connectivity between Rakuten Symphony's DU and NEC's radio unit (RU), proving seamless interaction between these radio access devices.
A Radio Access Network (RAN) is composed of radio units (RUs), distributed units (DUs), and centralized units (CUs). Open RAN disaggregates these elements, enabling a multi-vendor configuration that eliminates reliance on solutions from a single vendor. This fosters flexible procurement and drives cost reduction through increased market competition.
With these certifications, Rakuten Symphony significantly strengthens its capability to deliver O-RAN compliant devices to telecommunication operators with greater speed and cost-efficiency, and will accelerate the further adoption of Open RAN networks globally.
Rakuten Symphony will continue to develop technologies that facilitate the creation of a global Open RAN ecosystem comprised of diverse vendors, contributing to the wider adoption of Open RAN.
Notes:
*1 O-RAN conformance certification is a certification issued to O-RU, O-DU, or O-DU/O-CU after testing the O-RAN open fronthaul interface, which handles communication between O-RU, O-DU, or O-DU/O-CU, against O-RAN specifications for 4G LTE, 5G NR, or both.
*2 O-RAN Interoperability (IOT) Badge certification is a certification issued after conducting interoperability tests (IOT: Interoperability Test) as specified in O-RAN specifications when two devices constituting a Radio Access Network (RAN) are combined.
*3 Japan Open Testing and Integration Centre. Related press release: Japan OTIC opens in Yokosuka City as a testing and certification center for O-RAN solutions (December 20, 2022) https://japan-otic.jp/en-news/393
*4 O-RAN End-to-End (E2E) Badge certification is a certification that certifies the conformity of a combination of O-RU, O-DU, and O-CU, which constitute a Radio Access Network (RAN), after conducting connection tests with devices such as smartphones and the core network based on O-RAN specifications.
*5 Related press release: Japan OTIC Awards Rakuten Symphony with World’s First 4G/5G NSA O-RAN End-to-End Certification Badge (February 7, 2024)
https://symphony.rakuten.com/newsroom/japan-otic-rakuten-symphony-certification-badge
*The names of O-RAN ALLIANCE, O-RAN and their logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of O-RAN ALLIANCE e.V. Product names and service names included in this press release are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Trademarks such as “™” and “®” may be omitted when company trademarks are mentioned.
About O-RAN ALLIANCE
The O-RAN ALLIANCE, a body promoting the development of Open RAN specifications, defines the Open RAN architecture and interfaces between devices (hereinafter, "O-RAN specifications") as international standards. It encourages telecommunication operators and vendors to build Open RAN compliant with these O-RAN specifications. For more details, please visit the following website: https://www.o-ran.org/
About Rakuten Symphony
Rakuten Symphony is reimagining telecom, changing supply chain norms and disrupting outmoded thinking that threatens the industry’s pursuit of rapid innovation and growth. Based on proven modern infrastructure practices, its open interface platforms make it possible to launch and operate advanced mobile services in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional approaches, with no compromise to network quality or security. Rakuten Symphony has operations in Japan, the United States, Singapore, South Korea, India, Europe and the Middle East Africa region. For more information, visit: https://symphony.rakuten.com
