Samsung Electronics and O2 Telefónica will test advanced cloud-native vRAN (virtualized Radio Access Network) and Open RAN technologies in Germany. The two technologies enable network operators to set up more flexible network architectures in which hardware and software are separated from each other and individual components are virtualized. The companies agreed to plan a roadmap consisting of several tests in the lab and field.
O2 Telefónica and Samsung will begin conducting initial tests of 4G and 5G vRAN and Open RAN technologies in a lab located at Munich. The companies then will carry out field tests in a commercial 5G network in Landsberg am Lech, with the goal of achieving technical and operational readiness.
O2 Telefónica, one of the leading mobile telecommunications providers in Germany, is transforming its network architecture towards an efficient and future-proof network built on modern RAN technologies, open interfaces and automation features.
The vRAN solution aims to support O2 Telefónica’s way to have more computation in an elastic cloud environment, which will have positive impacts on automation, availability, deployment speed and flexible capacity steering. It also supports low latency use cases like VR/AR as well as high availability use cases in the business segment.
Open RAN disaggregation will enable more flexibility and automation in the RAN environment, as it offers open interfaces with more possibilities to develop use cases for customers and network operations. It also provides the opportunity to integrate multiple components from different suppliers in one network.
For the collaboration, Samsung will provide its 4G and 5G vRAN software and Open RAN-compliant radios supporting low- and mid-bands, including 3.5 GHz Massive MIMO radios. Samsung’s vRAN solution offers greater flexibility and outstanding performance, backed by its proven commercial track record.
Leveraging the advantages of fully disaggregated and software-based architecture, Samsung’s vRAN solution also features enhanced capabilities for intelligent automation and energy savings, which help operators build more efficient and sustainable networks.
Throughout the trial, the companies also will test intelligent network automation solutions to control life cycle management — from deployment and operation to maintenance — with a simple click. Leveraging Samsung’s Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), which is an Open RAN-compliant solution, mobile operators can accelerate innovative software-based network rollouts by enabling automated deployment of thousands of network sites simultaneously.
