Telecom Italia joined forces with a group of large European operators pledging to help to drive developments in open RAN, hailing the technology’s potential to boost network performance and optimise costs.

The operator signed-up to the Europe-focused initiative weeks after launch by founding members Orange, Vodafone Group, Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica.

Part of the group’s strategy is to work with existing industry associations dedicated to developing open RAN technology and standards, alongside collaborating with authorities on related issues.

In a statement announcing its entry into the group, Telecom Italia said it would join its peers in promoting the technology, while making an individual commitment to use open virtualised architecture, and enable flexible, agile communication systems to help spread digital services over 5G.

TIM CTIO Michele Gamberini said the operator’s commitment to help develop the open RAN ecosystem “represents a solid opportunity to ensure our country plays a leading role as a provider of technologies for the digital transformation on a European scale”.