The US government makes a $42 million bet on open cell networks

5G Open RAN (O-RAN) standard would allow wireless providers to mix and match cellular hardware and software.

The standard would enable low-cost network build-outs using smaller equipment rather than massive towers.

The NTIA has committed $42 million to establish a testing center in Dallas to prove the standard’s viability.

The funding is part of a push to head off Huawei 's steady cruise toward a global network hardware monopoly.