Samsung to deploy its cloud-native vRAN solutions in KDDI’s 5G network

Tokyo

Samsung has extended its collaboration with KDDI to deployits cloud-native fully virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) solutions on theoperator's 5G network.

Samsung's vRAN will allow KDDI users to experience the fullpotential of 5G while also supporting the operator's pursuit of new 5G usecases and next-generation capabilities.

The companies will begin trials in the first quarter of 2022while commercial deployment will commence in the second half of 2022, Samsungsaid in a press release on Thursday.

vRAN technology replaces dedicated baseband hardware withsoftware elements to offer more deployment flexibility, greater scalability andimproved resource efficiency in network operation. Leveraging a container-basedarchitecture, Samsung's vRAN enables more flexible deployments and efficiencyin network management.

Samsung's vRAN will also simplify end-to-end networkmanagement via automation, allowing the Japanese operator to quickly meet theevolving demands of new and existing services with minimal impact ondeployment.

Recently, KDDI and Samsung completed the first 5G Standalone(SA) call using the latter's vRAN and another vendor's 5G Massive MIMO radios.

"We are delighted to extend our collaboration withSamsung and to become the first operator in Japan to use their 5G vRANsolutions, which are currently delivering superior performance in commercialnetworks. We believe in the power of virtualization, and this collaborationserves as a meaningful catalyst for driving the next phase of 5G innovation andadvancing our networks to offer best-in-class 5G services," said KazuyukiYoshimura, Chief Technology Officer of KDDI.

Earlier this year, Vodafone UK selected Samsungas a leading Open RAN vendor to bring virtualized Radio Access Network to theUnited Kingdom