Project Arana:
Boosting Fan Experience in Stadiums
Discover how Weaver Labs, in collaboration with industry giants, is transforming telecom infrastructure through cutting-edge technologies and innovative business models in the MKDons Stadium and the Grimsby Port in the UK.
Project Arana:
Boosting Fan Experience in Stadiums
Main Challenge
- Transforming Telecoms with Software-Based Networks
- Addressing the need for agile, service-differentiated telecom networks.
Partnerships
- Meta
- Samsung
- Capgemini
- University of Bristol
- Satellite Applications Catapult
- Milton Keynes Dons Stadium
- Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
- Madevo
Technologies
- Cell-Stack Platform
- OpenRAN
- AI-Driven QoE Management
- 5G, Fiber, and Satellite Networks Integration
Ground Breaking Outcomes
The project demonstrated service differentiation, user-centric QoE, and introduced new monetisation models for private networks.
Introduction
Project ARANA, led by Weaver Labs, is a groundbreaking initiative that secured £3.6m funding from the Future Telecoms Challenge. This project seeks to revolutionise the delivery of 5G Private Networks in large-scale venues by advancing the adoption of software-based platforms that integrate seamlessly with existing telecom infrastructure. The aim is to deliver Cell-Stack, the software management tool by Weaver Labs as an agile tool capable of supporting a “Network of Networks” model, which can adapt to the varying demands of users in the context of Stadiums and Ports.
The Challenge
The telecommunications industry faces the ongoing challenge of creating robust, scalable, and flexible networks to accommodate heterogeneous use cases and applications. Traditional hardware-centric networks often struggle to meet customer demands and venues fail to capitalise on the investment in infrastructure by generating new revenue streams. Project ARANA addresses these issues by adopting a software-centric approach that allows for greater flexibility, cost efficiency, and enhanced user experience.
Our Approach
Weaver Labs took a leading role in enhancing the Cell-Stack platform, which lies at the heart of this project. Cell-Stack was expanded to function as a Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform, introducing capabilities that enables venues to integrate and manage infrastructure more efficiently. This allows them to reduce capital and operational expenditure costs and accelerate revenue streams coming from the Telco infrastructure. The project also integrates cutting-edge AI models, developed in collaboration with Meta, Madevo and Samsung, to manage Quality of Experience (QoE) across different network segments.
One of the key innovations in Project ARANA is the integration of OpenRAN technology with the existing network infrastructure. This integration, supported by Capgemini and the Satellite Applications Catapult, allows for a more flexible and interoperable network environment, which is critical for the seamless operation of a “Network of Networks.” The University of Bristol’s pioneering work in monetising private networks as neutral hosts further enhances the project’s ability to migrate users seamlessly across two different OpenRAN networks.
Implementation and Execution
The execution of Project ARANA involved deploying the enhanced Cell-Stack platform across multiple sites, including the Milton Keynes Dons Stadium and Grimsby Port. These locations served as testbeds for integrating various network technologies, including 5G, Fibre, and Satellite, under a unified platform. The project also introduced the DROPS (Delivering RAN Optimised Parameter Sets) architecture created by Meta, which allows application providers to influence network parameters directly, thus improving the user experience.
In practice, this meant that private network owners, such as the MK Stadium, could offer Meta applications direct control over network parameters via APIs. This level of control is unprecedented and represents a significant step forward in how telecom networks can be managed and monetised. The Satellite Applications Catapult played a crucial role in integrating Non-Terrestrial Networks into the project, ensuring that even remote or challenging environments could benefit from the new network capabilities.
Key Outcomes
Project ARANA successfully validates several critical aspects of next-generation telecom networks. The project demonstrates that it is possible to accelerate network monetisation while maintaining a high level of service differentiation. The integration of AI-driven QoE management ensures that user experience remains at the forefront of network operations, regardless of the underlying technology.
- Accelerated network monetisation: Enabled by the NaaS model and innovative commercial strategies.
- Enhanced interoperability: Demonstrated through the seamless integration of multiple network technologies.
- Improved service delivery: Achieved by leveraging AI to manage and optimise network performance dynamically.
This project also highlighted the importance of collaboration across different sectors, including academia, industry, and government, to achieve meaningful advancements in telecom infrastructure. The success of Project ARANA will set a strong precedent for future initiatives aimed at modernising and enhancing telecom networks globally.