North American OTIC in Washington, D.C., Metro Area (Virginia Tech)
Advancing the Era of Open and Interoperable Wireless
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiate (CCI) hosts a designed North American Open and Integration Center (OTIC). Based on Arlington, VA, we serve as a vendor-neutral hub where the next generation of 5G and 6G technology is validated for the real world.
What is an OTIC ?
In the past, cellular networks were built using “closed” systems where one company provided everything. The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) is changing that by creating global standards so that different companies’ components can work together seamlessly.
Our center is the official laboratory where this “mixing and matching” is tested and validated. We ensure that new wireless technologies are compatible, secure, and ready for high-performance deployment
Our Core Mission
We provide the environment and expertise to solve the most complex challenges in modern networking:
Multi-vendor Interoperability: We prove that hardware and software from different vendors or different open-source communities can communicate perfectly. This “plug-and-play" approach is the heart of the future telecommunications market
End-to-end Validation: We validate the entire network lifecycle. From the user device and radio signal to the network core, we ensure data moves fast, securely, and reliably across the complete chain
Performance & Stress Testing: Using industry-leading Keysight tools, we benchmark critical performance indicators like throughput, latency, mobility, and reliability. This ensures every technology is “carrier-grade” and ready for the real world
Global Standard Compliance: As an official OTIC, we verify that technologies meet O-RAN ALLIANCE standards, and provide certification of approval, which is a requirement for any vendor looking to enter the global market
Join the Innovation
Whether you are an industry leader or a student, the OTIC is where the future of connectivity is built.
For Industry: Accelerate your product development with our high-fidelity emulators, technical consultation, and official certification services
For Interns and Grad students: Get hands-on with the same equipment used by top global engineers. We welcome curious minds in Wireless systems, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity.
Partnerships
AT&T, DISH Network, and Verizon join CCI as OTIC co-hosts in uniting to realize OTIC’s mission of accelerating national O-RAN advancement, innovation, and deployment.
Additional partners include:
- Wireless@VT (represented by Jeff Reed).
- Old Dominion University (represented by Sachin Shetty).
CCI xG Testbed Provides a Range of Services
Remote Access
Utilize the xG Testbed capabilities while in your own laboratory or office.
Interoperability
Confirm RAN components are interoperable across multi-vendor platforms in the lab and in the field.
Performance
Assess your O-RAN components using metrics and quantitative measures.
Conformance
Ensure your O-RAN components will meet standards, rules, and regulations.
CCI xG Testbed Locations Include Indoor, Outdoor Environments
Radio-Grid Network at Virginia Tech Research Center in Washington, D.C., Metro Area
Stroubles Creek CBRS Network at Virginia Tech's Blacksburg Campus
For more information about the North American OTIC in Washington D.C./Arlington Va. (Virginia Tech), contact us at: otic.xgtestbed@cyberinitiative.org