Ericsson Cloud RAN ready for 2016 operator trials
- Ericsson Cloud RAN options address a range of architectures that will support mobile broadband growth and new opportunities in the Internet of Things (IoT)
- Comprehensive Cloud RAN portfolio, including Distributed RAN, Centralized RAN, Elastic RAN and Virtualized RAN, leverage coordination to maximize user experience and optimize spectrum efficiency
- Virtualized RAN, slated for operator field trial in 2016, will be live at MWC 2016
As operators evolve their LTE networks and plan for 5G commercialization in 2020, the need to address a diversity of mobile demands across their coverage areas is driving the requirement for greater flexibility in network architectures. Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) Cloud RAN portfolio addresses this with architectural options for Distributed and Centralized RAN deployments as well as new Elastic RAN and Virtualized RAN solutions. Ericsson Virtualized RAN, slated for operator field trial in 2016, will be live at MWC 2016.
Ericsson Virtualized RAN enables Virtual Network Functions (VNF) to be supported on a split architecture, with parts of the protocol stacks centralized on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, while others are decentralized. Ericsson enables both RAN and core functionality to be co-hosted on the same server, increasing the operational simplicity and savings enabled by virtualization without compromising on performance. Ericsson's live Cloud RAN demonstration at MWC 2016 in Barcelona will feature radio access functionality virtualized on remote servers located in Sweden, including virtual instances of the Radio Resource Control Function (RRCF) and Packet Data Conversion Protocol (PDCP) function. Ericsson will also showcase its end-to-end role in the Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), including virtual EPC gateway functionality for local breakout of specific services or devices.
Arun Bansal, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit Radio, Ericsson, says: "Working with leading operators around the world, Ericsson understands that there is no one-size-fits-all mobile access architecture that can address the diversity of operator requirements for coverage, capacity and network optimization and evolution. Ericsson Cloud RAN provides operators with the flexibility to centralize, distribute, scale and virtualize their radio access network functions to efficiently meet their performance requirements today and as they evolve to 5G."
Current growth patterns in data traffic are driven both by increased smartphone subscriptions and a continued increase in average data volume per subscription, fueled primarily by more viewing of video content. This growth will intensify with adoption of cellular IoT and Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) networks supporting millions of IoT device connections per cell site. The diversity of user cases associated with IoT and the resultant range of demands that this will place on mobile networks will also drive the need for Cloud RAN flexibility.
Ericsson at Mobile World Congress 2016
During Mobile World Congress 2016 in Barcelona, Ericsson will showcase its unique industry insights, the latest innovation and inspirational discussions that enable powerful new business opportunities. We are in the midst of the societal transformation we call the Networked Society: a society in which mobility, broadband and cloud empower every person and every industry to reach their full potential. Opportunity is everywhere, and companies are transforming according to the role they have chosen to play in the value chains and ecosystems of the Networked Society.
Join us in our Hall (Hall 2, Stand 2N60) to learn about 5G, the Internet of Things and cloud, and to discuss the impact digital transformation can have on people, business and society.
Follow the conversation online:
www.linkedin.com/company/ericsson
NOTES TO EDITORS
Video: Live Demo - Virtualized RAN (Ericsson Cloud RAN)
Delivering Extreme App Coverage - with commercial Gigabit LTE and hyperscale Elastic RAN
For media kits, backgrounders and high-resolution photos, please visit www.ericsson.com/press
Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society - a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.
Our services, software and infrastructure - especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud - are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.
With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions - and our customers - stay in front.
Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2015 were SEK 246.9 billion (USD 29.4 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.
www.ericsson.com
www.ericsson.com/news
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress
www.facebook.com/ericsson
www.youtube.com/ericsson
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com
Ericsson Investor Relations
Phone: +46 10 719 00 00
E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com