ORCID is the Open RAN Center for Integration & Deployment. It is a U.S.-based O-RAN laboratory that allows participants to test and validate their hardware and software solutions against a live, commercial-grade O-RAN network stack. DISH Wireless, a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, is the lead participant in the ORCID consortium, which also includes Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., Mavenir Systems Inc., VMware by Broadcom, and a number of Technology Partners. ORCID is made possible through a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. For more on ORCID, check out our About page.

ORCID is unique because it is supported by EchoStar, the only operator in the United States that has actually deployed an end-to-end wireless network based on O-RAN standards. EchoStar and its ORCID partners have achieved interoperability among a diverse array of ecosystem suppliers, building a network that now covers over 240 million Americans. This network will be made available to ORCID participants for live field testing, a first among U.S. O-RAN labs. ORCID is therefore uniquely positioned to export the lessons learned from EchoStar’s commercial deployment to all ORCID participants. ORCID will be able to support vendors domestically and internationally to help promote and develop the O-RAN ecosystem.

ORCID is open to all trusted ecosystem participants who adhere to its onboarding criteria. This ensures that all contributors align with the goals of the lab, fostering collaboration and innovation within the O-RAN community. ORCID will have the ability to test both single elements in the O-RAN stack, including radio units (RUs), distributed units (DUs), centralized units (CUs), or rAPPs on a service management orchestration (SMO) platform, combinations thereof, or complete stacks. All participants in ORCID must register and be approved as a participating entity before testing can begin. ORCID utilizes an online web portal to manage the testing process. Click “Create Account” at the top of this webpage and follow the prompts to create a new user. Once a user account has been created, the user will have the option to join an approved organization or create a new organization in the portal. Once an organization has been approved for participation in ORCID, associated users will be able to submit projects for testing through the portal. Once a project has been submitted, ORCID administrators will review the documentation to ensure the project meets certain baseline requirements. ORCID will work with project organizations to ensure compliance.

ORCID will enable participating O-RAN vendors to test all elements of the network stack to promote the development of new O-RAN solutions. ORCID will provide results to participants on a confidential basis, subject to ORCID participant agreements, EchoStar’s cybersecurity protocols, and all applicable laws and regulations.

Navigate to ORCID.us and select the “Create Account” button in the upper right hand corner. Follow the prompts to create your account. An ORCID representative will review your application and, if approved, you or your organization will be able to join the ORCID web portal.

All testing and evaluation projects are managed through the ORCID web portal. Login to your account and check the status there. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to your ORCID representative.

Thanks to a grant from the NTIA Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, ORCID does not charge any fee for most testing.

DISH Wireless, a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, is the lead participant in the ORCID consortium, which also includes Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., Mavenir Systems Inc., and VMware by Broadcom. EchoStar and its consortium partners will bring the skill, expertise, and organizational capability to complete the interoperable, standards-based testing and evaluation activities available to ORCID participants.

ORCID is fully-staffed with engineers and test personnel who will oversee testing your organization’s O-RAN solution. Testing will be initiated and managed via ORCID’s online web portal.

ORCID will be housed in EchoStar’s secure Cheyenne Data Center that already complies with stringent security standards. ORCID will also utilize EchoStar’s wireless network architecture, which implements security controls and governance processes to mitigate the current threat landscape. All data will be protected in accordance with ORCID participant agreements, EchoStar’s cybersecurity standards, and all applicable laws and regulations.

If you have forgotten your login email, reach out to your ORCID organization administrator for help in locating your credential. If you have forgotten your password, enter your login email and click “Continue” to advance to the password field. Once you are prompted to enter your password, click “Forgot password?” under the “Continue” button and follow the prompts to reset your password.

Please do not hesitate to contact ORCID using the form on our Contact Us page. A program representative will be in touch after receiving your inquiry.