Large-scale deployment of open RAN, or indeed any virtualized RAN, in the established macro network footprint remains a medium term option at best, for most operators. However, many large telcos want to take the measure of emerging platforms and suppliers by putting them through their paces in greenfield sites, or in rural and emerging economies. Here, a low cost base is essential because of limited numbers of subscribers or limited disposable income; and in underserved areas, the risks of a new network being overwhelmed by traffic are lower, and quality of service expectations tend to be lower. Even if O-RAN for primary, high traffic macro networks is a way off, rural areas are a different matter. Smaller operators working in…