2022 5G Challenge Event - ITS
Source: https://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/research/5g/2022-5g-challenge-event
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
2022 5G Challenge Event - ITS
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2024 RIC Forum
2023 5G Challenge Event
2022 5G Challenge Event
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
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Research
/
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/ 2022 5G Challenge Event
About
Host Lab
Contest Prizes
Event Documentation
Videos
Photos
NTIA Technical Memo
Press
Press Releases and Blogs
About
The 2022 5G Challenge Event:
RAN Subsystem Interoperability
was the first of two 5G Challenge competitions. In this first-year event, NTIA/ITS offered a $3,000,000 prize purse to contestants who successfully integrated hardware and/or software solutions for one or more of these 5G network subsystems:
Central Unit (CU)
Distributed Unit (DU)
Radio Unit (RU)
See the 2022 5G Challenge
Official Rules
.
5G Open RAN Network Diagram
Stage One – White Papers
During Stage One, contestants applied to participate by submitting a white paper, which required contestants to document 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance specification compliance and subsystem test reports. The most qualified contestants were accepted through early-bird and final submittal phases.
Stage Two – Emulated Integration
In Stage Two, each contestant subsystem was evaluated independently with a wrap-around emulator and test harness. The contestant subsystems underwent testing to evaluate basic functionality and standards conformance. Stage Two challenged the contestants, host lab, and test software because 5G test software and some 5G interface specifications are still emerging.
Stage Two: Wrap-around emulators evaluate individual vendor devices
Each contestant whose subsystem(s) achieved a basic level of functional performance qualified for an Emulated Integration prize of $150,000. Of the contestants who qualified for an Emulated Integration prize, the contestant with the best Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) also received a $200,000 prize.
SBOMs facilitate improved security via vulnerability management by identifying dependencies, patch requirements, license requirements, and risk of cyberattack. Stage Two Contestant SBOMs were evaluated for completeness, intelligibility, depth of dependencies listed, disclosure of known unknowns, and compliance to SBOM format standards.
Stage Three – Network Integration
Stage Three integrated multiple vendor subsystems into an end-to-end network. The final Stage Three network successfully integrated subsystems from five different vendors: user equipment (UE), radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU), and Core. In true plug-and-play fashion, contestants approached network integration with no prior experience interoperating with their fellow contestantsʼ subsystems. The 5G Challenge provided a rigorous five-week schedule for contestants to work through diverse issues, from 3GPP software options to discrepant hardware.
Stage Three: Multiple vendors subsystems integrated into vRAN for end-to-end testing
2022 Event Timeline
Host Lab
CableLabs was selected as the host lab and provided expert staff and access to a test lab for the 2022 5G Challenge Event.
During Stage Two, the host lab provided an emulated 5G test system. During Stage Three, the host lab provided two Standalone (SA) 5G cores, and two virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN).
See the
Host Lab Specification
.
Contest Prizes
Stage Two – Emulated Integration Prize
After evaluating Stage Two testing results, the 5G Challenge selected the following contestants to receive an Emulated Integration Prize of $150,000 each:
CU: Capgemini Engineering; Mavenir Systems, Inc.; Signal System Management
DU: Radisys Corp.
RU: Fujitsu Network Communications; Mavenir Systems, Inc.
Stage Three – Network Integration Prize
After evaluating Stage Three testing results, the 5G Challenge selected the following contestants to receive a Network Integration Prize of $250,000 each:
CU: Capgemini Engineering
DU: Radisys Corp.
RU: Mavenir Systems, Inc.
Best Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) Prize
SBOMs facilitate improved security via vulnerability management by identifying dependencies, patch requirements, license requirements, and risk of cyberattack. 5G Contestant SBOMs were evaluated for completeness, intelligibility, depth of dependencies listed, disclosure of known unknowns, and compliance to SBOM format standards.
A $200,000 prize was awarded to Radisys Corp. in recognition of their comprehensive, informative, and high quality SBOM, which went above and beyond minimum requirements to report vulnerability and risk.
Event Documentation
Rules
Host Lab Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Scoring Guide
Videos
2022 5G Challenge Prize Winners Summary
2022 5G Challenge Showcase Video
2022 5G Challenge Prize Winners
Photos
Closing Ceremony Photos Document
NTIA Technical Memo
5G Challenge Preliminary Event: Evaluating Modular, Interoperable, Multi-Vendor, Open RAN Solutions
Press
10/14/2022, ExecutiveBiz –
Radisys Takes 2 Prizes in Federal 5G Challenge’s Final Phase
10/13/2022, Bussines Wire –
Radisys Wins Top Award in Final Stage of NTIA/DoD 5G Challenge to Build an Interoperable Open RAN System
10/13/2022, Light Reading –
How the US military is becoming open RAN's greatest American ally
09/26/2022, Forbes –
Boosting Domestic Production Of 5G Technology Is Important To Ensure Long Run U.S. Economic Primacy
08/10/2022, FedTech –
In a 5G World, the More Vendors, the Better
06/02/2022, Informed, Blog by CableLabs –
NTIA Announces the Full Roster of 5G Challenge Contestants
04/08/2022, Federal News Network –
DoD offering up to $3 million to help make 5G more compatible
04/07/2022, RCR Wireless News –
NTIA, DoD launch 5G challenge to accelerate development of 5G
04/06/2022, Defense News –
Pentagon launches 5G challenge with millions up for grabs
04/06/2022, Light Reading –
NTIA puts up $3M for DoD's open 5G networks
03/02/2022, Fierce Wireless –
CableLabs chosen to host NTIA, DoD 5G challenge
03/02/2022, Informed, Blog by CableLabs –
Accelerating 5G Network Innovation: CableLabs Named Host Lab for 5G Challenge
Press Releases and Blogs
10/06/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA and Department of Defense Announce Final Winners of the 2022 5G Challenge
05/26/2022, DoD Press Release –
Department of Defense and NTIA Select Final Contestants for 5G Challenge
05/20/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and Department of Defense Select 5G Challenge Contestants from Final Entries
04/26/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and Department of Defense Select 5G Challenge Contestants from Early-Bird Entries
04/06/2022, DoD Press Release –
Department of Defense and NTIA Launch 5G Challenge to Accelerate Development of Open 5G Ecosystem
04/06/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and Department of Defense Launch 5G Challenge to Accelerate Development of Open 5G Ecosystem
Endorsement Disclaimer:
Certain commercial equipment, software, and services are mentioned on this website to describe aspects of the ways that they may be used in industry. The mention of such entities should not be construed as any endorsement, approval, or recommendation, or as a statement that they are in any way superior or more noteworthy than similar entities that were not mentioned.
Skip to main content
↑ Back to top
The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
The site is secure.
The
https://
ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
ITS Home
Research
5G
IORS
2024 RIC Forum
2023 5G Challenge Event
2022 5G Challenge Event
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
/
Research
/
5G
/ 2022 5G Challenge Event
About
Host Lab
Contest Prizes
Event Documentation
Videos
Photos
NTIA Technical Memo
Press
Press Releases and Blogs
About
The 2022 5G Challenge Event:
RAN Subsystem Interoperability
was the first of two 5G Challenge competitions. In this first-year event, NTIA/ITS offered a $3,000,000 prize purse to contestants who successfully integrated hardware and/or software solutions for one or more of these 5G network subsystems:
Central Unit (CU)
Distributed Unit (DU)
Radio Unit (RU)
See the 2022 5G Challenge
Official Rules
.
5G Open RAN Network Diagram
Stage One – White Papers
During Stage One, contestants applied to participate by submitting a white paper, which required contestants to document 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance specification compliance and subsystem test reports. The most qualified contestants were accepted through early-bird and final submittal phases.
Stage Two – Emulated Integration
In Stage Two, each contestant subsystem was evaluated independently with a wrap-around emulator and test harness. The contestant subsystems underwent testing to evaluate basic functionality and standards conformance. Stage Two challenged the contestants, host lab, and test software because 5G test software and some 5G interface specifications are still emerging.
Stage Two: Wrap-around emulators evaluate individual vendor devices
Each contestant whose subsystem(s) achieved a basic level of functional performance qualified for an Emulated Integration prize of $150,000. Of the contestants who qualified for an Emulated Integration prize, the contestant with the best Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) also received a $200,000 prize.
SBOMs facilitate improved security via vulnerability management by identifying dependencies, patch requirements, license requirements, and risk of cyberattack. Stage Two Contestant SBOMs were evaluated for completeness, intelligibility, depth of dependencies listed, disclosure of known unknowns, and compliance to SBOM format standards.
Stage Three – Network Integration
Stage Three integrated multiple vendor subsystems into an end-to-end network. The final Stage Three network successfully integrated subsystems from five different vendors: user equipment (UE), radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), central unit (CU), and Core. In true plug-and-play fashion, contestants approached network integration with no prior experience interoperating with their fellow contestantsʼ subsystems. The 5G Challenge provided a rigorous five-week schedule for contestants to work through diverse issues, from 3GPP software options to discrepant hardware.
Stage Three: Multiple vendors subsystems integrated into vRAN for end-to-end testing
2022 Event Timeline
Host Lab
CableLabs was selected as the host lab and provided expert staff and access to a test lab for the 2022 5G Challenge Event.
During Stage Two, the host lab provided an emulated 5G test system. During Stage Three, the host lab provided two Standalone (SA) 5G cores, and two virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN).
See the
Host Lab Specification
.
Contest Prizes
Stage Two – Emulated Integration Prize
After evaluating Stage Two testing results, the 5G Challenge selected the following contestants to receive an Emulated Integration Prize of $150,000 each:
CU: Capgemini Engineering; Mavenir Systems, Inc.; Signal System Management
DU: Radisys Corp.
RU: Fujitsu Network Communications; Mavenir Systems, Inc.
Stage Three – Network Integration Prize
After evaluating Stage Three testing results, the 5G Challenge selected the following contestants to receive a Network Integration Prize of $250,000 each:
CU: Capgemini Engineering
DU: Radisys Corp.
RU: Mavenir Systems, Inc.
Best Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) Prize
SBOMs facilitate improved security via vulnerability management by identifying dependencies, patch requirements, license requirements, and risk of cyberattack. 5G Contestant SBOMs were evaluated for completeness, intelligibility, depth of dependencies listed, disclosure of known unknowns, and compliance to SBOM format standards.
A $200,000 prize was awarded to Radisys Corp. in recognition of their comprehensive, informative, and high quality SBOM, which went above and beyond minimum requirements to report vulnerability and risk.
Event Documentation
Rules
Host Lab Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Scoring Guide
Videos
2022 5G Challenge Prize Winners Summary
2022 5G Challenge Showcase Video
2022 5G Challenge Prize Winners
Photos
Closing Ceremony Photos Document
NTIA Technical Memo
5G Challenge Preliminary Event: Evaluating Modular, Interoperable, Multi-Vendor, Open RAN Solutions
Press
10/14/2022, ExecutiveBiz –
Radisys Takes 2 Prizes in Federal 5G Challenge’s Final Phase
10/13/2022, Bussines Wire –
Radisys Wins Top Award in Final Stage of NTIA/DoD 5G Challenge to Build an Interoperable Open RAN System
10/13/2022, Light Reading –
How the US military is becoming open RAN's greatest American ally
09/26/2022, Forbes –
Boosting Domestic Production Of 5G Technology Is Important To Ensure Long Run U.S. Economic Primacy
08/10/2022, FedTech –
In a 5G World, the More Vendors, the Better
06/02/2022, Informed, Blog by CableLabs –
NTIA Announces the Full Roster of 5G Challenge Contestants
04/08/2022, Federal News Network –
DoD offering up to $3 million to help make 5G more compatible
04/07/2022, RCR Wireless News –
NTIA, DoD launch 5G challenge to accelerate development of 5G
04/06/2022, Defense News –
Pentagon launches 5G challenge with millions up for grabs
04/06/2022, Light Reading –
NTIA puts up $3M for DoD's open 5G networks
03/02/2022, Fierce Wireless –
CableLabs chosen to host NTIA, DoD 5G challenge
03/02/2022, Informed, Blog by CableLabs –
Accelerating 5G Network Innovation: CableLabs Named Host Lab for 5G Challenge
Press Releases and Blogs
10/06/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA and Department of Defense Announce Final Winners of the 2022 5G Challenge
05/26/2022, DoD Press Release –
Department of Defense and NTIA Select Final Contestants for 5G Challenge
05/20/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and Department of Defense Select 5G Challenge Contestants from Final Entries
04/26/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and Department of Defense Select 5G Challenge Contestants from Early-Bird Entries
04/06/2022, DoD Press Release –
Department of Defense and NTIA Launch 5G Challenge to Accelerate Development of Open 5G Ecosystem
04/06/2022, NTIA Press Release –
NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and Department of Defense Launch 5G Challenge to Accelerate Development of Open 5G Ecosystem
Endorsement Disclaimer:
Certain commercial equipment, software, and services are mentioned on this website to describe aspects of the ways that they may be used in industry. The mention of such entities should not be construed as any endorsement, approval, or recommendation, or as a statement that they are in any way superior or more noteworthy than similar entities that were not mentioned.