NEC has been designing high end radios for years, but almost entirely for Japanese operators. Now, it is taking advantage of open RAN initiatives, and the push by MNOs and governments for a broader supplier base, to broaden its geographic reach. Its O-RAN radios were developed, in its traditional manner, in a very customized way for Japanese operators (Rakuten and NTT Docomo). But it will work with Rakuten to commercialize their radio (and core) co-developments for wider adoption via the Rakuten Cloud Platform, and NEC is also working with other technology partners and operators round the world. Last month, it set up its first Global Open RAN Center of Excellence to promote its platforms to operators and work with partners.…