O2 Telefonica Germany and Ericsson have announced the successful implementation of the first Ericsson Cloud RAN solution in Europe's mobile network at the Wayra Innovation Hub in Munich, marking a significant leap forward in advanced 5G technology.
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Cloud RAN Architecture and Software Virtualization
According to the joint statement, the Cloud RAN architecture includes virtualising parts of the radio access network (RAN), which runs as software. Like the Open RAN concept, this approach allows mobile operator to use standardised hardware, such as traditional Intel-based computers, while maintaining software functions provided by Ericsson. The partners said this results in a faster and more efficient network, facilitating the rapid implementation of the technology.
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Data Shower Concept with 5G Millimetre Waves
During a live demonstration at the Wayra Innovation Hub in Munich – O2 Telefonica's start-up accelerator – Ericsson and Telefonica Germany showcased a "data shower" use case based on Cloud RAN and the use of 5G on millimetre waves in the 26 GHz range with 800 MHz bandwidth. The result exceeded 4 Gbps, which the technology partners considered a significant advancement over the current real-world performance of 5G networks.
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Ericsson has successfully implemented Cloud RAN with mobile operators in North America and Australia and has now accomplished the same in Europe in partnership with O2 Telefonica.
The technology partners stated that by relocating computing power and functionalities to the cloud, operational tasks are streamlined, and scalability is improved. Furthermore, swift software updates guarantee that the network remains up-to-date, boosting overall efficiency.
Streamlining Operations with Cloud Technology
Looking to the future, O2 Telefonica and Ericsson believe this new technology will revolutionise the network experience for both private and business customers, paving the way for digital applications in various industries.
A key application demonstrated involved the seamless transfer of large files in a matter of seconds, which has implications for industries like car production, where rapid software updates are essential, and factory maintenance processes can be fully digitalised.
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The companies stated that using millimetre waves in Cloud RAN architecture presents a viable option as a mobile fixed network substitute, offering new opportunities for fixed wireless access solutions (FWA).
Gamers may soon be able to buy more network capabilities for better cloud gaming. This could mean access to reliable high-speed internet without traditional wired infrastructure for private households.
