· Cloud RAN offering for communications service
providers will add more versatility to network buildouts to address a
variety of 5G use cases
· Cloud
RAN by Ericsson is fully compatible with the Ericsson Radio System portfolio,
and supports both 5G standalone and non-standalone
· Planned
in stages, the offering will enable service providers to incrementally add
Cloud RAN capabilities as a complement to their existing purpose-built 5G
networks
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC)
today announces Cloud RAN (Radio Access Network), a new offering to enable
communications service providers to add greater flexibility and versatility to
their networks.
Cloud
RAN by Ericsson is a cloud-native software solution handling
compute functionality in the RAN. It will complement high-performing
purpose-built baseband offerings in the Ericsson Radio System portfolio, giving
service providers an optimal choice for any deployment scenario and need.
As the telecoms industry deploys 5G
networks around the globe, technologies such as automation and virtualization,
with Cloud RAN specifically, will play a key role in future network evolution.
These technologies will be the catalyst for more openness in networks, with
cloud technology offering new innovative alternatives for RAN deployment that
complement existing tried and trusted solutions.
Cloud RAN by Ericsson will deliver
network capabilities for both large-scale and centralized 5G deployments. It
will allow service providers to address new business opportunities and diverse
5G use cases for indoor, industry, enterprise, stadiums and beyond.
Leveraging Ericsson’s experience in
designing and deploying cloud core networks,
as well as in service management and orchestration worldwide, the new
offering opens the door for service providers to use web-scale technology and
benefit from cloud-native design from application to infrastructure. This will
bring greater scalability and faster time-to-market for developers and
enterprises to innovate new services.
Ericsson Cloud RAN will be released in stages, matching
the service providers’ journey to complement their purpose-built 5G networks.
The first stage will provide the foundation, offering a system-verified
solution* for 5G low band that will enable an easy transition to a virtualized
RAN using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware platforms.
The first stage
includes Ericsson’s new Cloud RAN application software – Cloud RAN DU and Cloud
RAN CU - enabling a highly capable and flexible 5G network architecture. It also includes new Radio Gateways, enabling a full utilization of the
installed base of remote radios, making them fully compatible with Cloud RAN.
These products set the foundation for future mid-band rollouts.
Ericsson Cloud RAN is fully compatible
with the Ericsson Radio System portfolio, and supports Ericsson Spectrum Sharing and 5G
standalone and non-standalone.
Joe Madden, Chief
Analyst, Mobile Experts, says: “Ericsson is launching innovations in Cloud RAN
technology, adding to its strong networks portfolio with open high-level APIs
to enable improvements to customer experience and reductions in total cost of
ownership related to network automation. Their release of the new Cloud
RAN DU and Cloud RAN CU achieves a combination of high radio performance and
flexibility.”
Virtualization and
multi-domain orchestration will also create a foundation for future RAN
openness. Cloud RAN by Ericsson is designed to support Service Management and
Orchestration architecture including Non Real-Time RAN Intelligent
Controller (Non-RT RIC), in line with O-RAN interfaces.
The first stage of
Cloud RAN by Ericsson will be available in the fourth quarter of 2021.