Project ARANA Phase 2 will deliver a pioneering "Network as a Service" (NaaS) software platform tailored for high-density venues such as stadiums. The platform is based on Cell-Stack, a cloud-native orchestration tool developed by UK telecoms startup Weaver Labs, and enhanced through collaboration with partners including Meta (Facebook), Samsung, Nokia Bell Labs, Madevo, the University of Bristol, and Real Wireless.
The solution addresses a major challenge in the telecommunications sector: the need to move away from expensive, hardware-centric infrastructure like Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and proprietary private 5G networks. Instead, ARANA Phase 2 enables network owners to deploy agile, software-defined networks that are programmable, cost-effective, and optimised using artificial intelligence. The platform integrates and orchestrates 5G, WiFi, and edge computing resources to dynamically improve service quality and user experiences.
Key innovations include:
* AI-driven orchestration that uses real-time application data to optimise network performance.
* Integration of eSIM and WiFi domains, simplifying user onboarding and enabling hybrid connectivity models.
* Real-time edge applications, including computer vision for immersive stadium services.
* Standardised APIs that allow app developers to programmatically access network functions, unlocking new revenue models for private network owners.
The project builds on a successfully completed Phase 1 trial, which demonstrated the platform's feasibility at Stadium MK and Grimsby Port. Phase 2 will transition Cell-Stack's NaaS to a pre-commercial solution, validated through a 3-5 month live deployment at Stadium MK. This pilot will showcase the commercial and technical benefits of dynamic service orchestration in real-world scenarios.
This initiative supports the UK Government's ambition for future telecoms innovation by advancing interoperability, open architectures, and AI-enabled management. It contributes to global standards via alignment with ETSI MEC and the O-RAN Alliance and will help position UK-led innovation on the international stage.
Led by Weaver Labs, the consortium brings together deep technical expertise and industry experience. The project is expected to generate new intellectual property, enhance UK telecom capabilities, and create commercial pathways for software-defined networks in venues, transport hubs, ports, and beyond.
ARANA Phase 2 offers a scalable and future-ready model for intelligent, programmable connectivity, advancing both UK digital infrastructure and the global competitiveness of its telecoms ecosystem.