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Mtel Banja Luka to test AI RAN tech from Parallel Wireless. - John Tanner - 08 April 2026 - 444 views Open RAN vendor Parallel Wireless says it has extended its collaboration with Mtel Banja Luka, Telekom Srbija's Bosnia and Herzegovina unit, to test AI RAN technology. Under the expanded deal announced on Monday, Mtel will work with Parallel Wireless and their service partner Igmako Smart Solutions to deploy and assess the vendor's "Unity AI" RAN software. Parallel Wireless said its AI RAN software is designed to improve network performance, per-site optimization, and extension of intelligence across network operations by embedding AI directly within the RAN software. The idea is to enable the network to continuously adapt to real-world traffic and radio conditions, which promises to help maintain higher throughput, increased capacity, and more consistent performance as demand grows, while also improving energy efficiency and reducing operational complexity. The expanded partnership follows a successful 2G/4G Open RAN lab proof of concept carried out by both companies. Mtel Banja Luka CTO Rastko Pavlovic said the telco is pursuing Open RAN as a strategic pathway to modernize its network with AI-native architecture and establish greater flexibility across its technology ecosystem. "By expanding our work with Parallel Wireless, we are not only advancing Open RAN in our network but also leveraging AI to build a more efficient, energy-conscious, and flexible network," he said in a statement. "The Western Balkans represent exactly the kind of market where Open RAN can deliver real impact, with operators looking to innovate, increase supply chain flexibility, and build more efficient networks," added Parallel Wireless founder and CEO Steve Papa. "AI-native architecture is not a premium add-on, but the foundation for competitive networks."

Parallel Wireless showcases scalable RAN sharing with Neutral Host Outdoor in the UK. Image Credit: tanaonte/Bigstockphoto.com Parallel Wireless, a U.S.-based pioneer in energy-efficient RAN solutions, announced Synergy(TM), a comprehensive RAN sharing service that enables mobile network operators to share radio access network infrastructure and resources across multiple deployment scenarios. The first commercial service delivered on GreenRAN Synergy is a Neutral Host Outdoor deployment in West Sussex, UK. It also marks the world's first commercial deployment of the UK's 2025 Neutral Host Outdoor (NHOD) specification. The deployment enables shared outdoor mobile infrastructure, supporting multi-operator 4G and 5G services. The Neutral Host service operating on Synergy is compliant with the Joint Operators Technical Specification (JOTS) Neutral Host Outdoor (NHOD) framework, developed collaboratively by the UK's four mobile network operators to define performance, coverage, reliability, and testing requirements for shared outdoor wireless infrastructure. The United Kingdom has emerged as a global leader in structured infrastructure sharing. Through the JOTS Neutral Host Outdoor framework, UK operators have established one of the most advanced models for active RAN sharing, defining clear requirements for performance, spectrum independence, security, and operational testing, creating a scalable foundation for multi-operator deployment. Parallel Wireless is investing in this foundation with deployment best practices and real-world operational experience, turning the specifications into production-grade implementations. This proven approach will be provided as a toolkit for regulators and operators globally, supporting the development of frameworks that accelerate infrastructure sharing while preserving network security, spectrum control, and operator independence. The West Sussex deployment demonstrates how RAN sharing can transition from policy framework to operational reality, establishing a scalable model for shared, standardized, and sustainable mobile infrastructure. Steve Papa, Founder and CEO of Parallel Wireless GreenRAN Synergy begins the global journey for active RAN sharing at scale. Synergy will prove that operators can collaborate on radio infrastructure without compromising independence or performance. The model reduces capital intensity, improves TCO, and accelerates sustainable network expansion, while helping operators meet their GSMA Mobile Net Zero commitments by minimizing equipment duplication, site proliferation, and overall energy impact. Robert Franks, Managing Director of WM5G Neutral host solutions are becoming increasingly important in urban regions like the West Midlands, where demand for network capacity continues to grow and existing sites are constrained. The Fast Mode welcome Parallel Wireless' entry and innovation in this space. Garry Wall, West Sussex County Council's Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills West Sussex is proud to become the first county in the UK to attract commercial investment in a new model of mobile network deployment, developed through the DSIT-funded Beach project in Worthing. The town centre and seafront will gain improved mobile connectivity whilst also enjoying the benefit of infrastructure that will be shared, rather than duplicated, by mobile network operators. Its residents, businesses and visitors will experience improved coverage first in an exciting and sustainable model of telecommunications deployment that other counties can confidently follow. Ray Sharma is an Industry Analyst and Editor at The Fast Mode. He has over 15 years of experience in mobile broadband technologies and solutions, conducting research and analysis on various technology segments and producing articles and write-ups on the latest developments within the sector. He is also in charge of social media engagement and industry liaisons.