Unveiling vRAN Advancements by Samsung & Intel

A new product innovation agreement between Samsung Electronics and Intel will allow the two businesses to continue developing the virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) for improved performance and capacity

In order to deliver cutting-edge vRAN solutions, Samsung will integrate its vRAN 3.0 software with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs with Intel vRAN Boost. With greater capacity, Samsung’s enhanced vRAN will be able to support more cells with the same number of servers, which will assist network operators by reducing their need for power and increasing their financial efficiency.

Since 2017, Samsung and Intel have worked together on vRAN innovation, and the two companies have already demonstrated the effectiveness of their integrated solutions in the commercial networks of Tier One operators in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. In these networks, operator networks have been receiving performance optimization and power saving features from Samsung’s vRAN software paired with 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Intel’s previous generation CPU).

Samsung continues to offer cutting-edge virtualized network solutions powered by its most recent vRAN 3.0 capabilities, including 200MHz 3-Cell support for 64T64R Massive MIMO radios, power-saving functions, and enhanced automation. This makes it possible for operators to implement a superb and adaptable RAN solution. For increased network operating flexibility, Samsung’s vRAN also supports multiple radio access technology (Multi-RAT) across 2G, 4G, and 5G in addition to its improved features.

“Intel has been a close innovation partner within Samsung’s 5G vRAN ecosystem, helping advance our goal of working with industry-leading innovators to develop and commercialize best-in-class vRAN solutions that meet the highest standards,” stated Jeongho Park, Vice President and Head of Technology Strategy Group, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are eager to broaden our partnership with industry experts in technology, like Intel, to introduce the upcoming generation of vRAN upgrades, which will include improved flexibility, automation, and power efficiency. Customers can now take advantage of a variety of vRAN capabilities that improve performance and efficiency, giving one of the most potent RAN systems available.

As long as their networks are supported by a cutting-edge, fully virtualized architecture, operators will be able to meet their stringent capacity, coverage, quality, and total cost of ownership requirements with the help of Samsung’s vRAN 3.0 and 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel vRAN Boost.

Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Access Networking Division at Intel, stated that “the mobile industry is on a transformational journey toward end-to-end network virtualization.” “Intel and Samsung have been working together for many years, and both companies are dedicated to delivering highly integrated, virtualized RAN solutions. This new arrangement will strengthen that partnership and allow both businesses to accelerate operators’ vRAN deployments at scale while supplying a potent blend of flexibility, performance, and power efficiency.

Interoperability tests between the businesses were completed successfully, and a first call was made using Samsung’s vRAN on 4th generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel vRAN Boost. In the second half of 2023, this improved vRAN service is anticipated to be commercially accessible.

The successful delivery of 5G end-to-end solutions, including chipsets, radios, and core, has been pioneered by Samsung. With its market-leading product portfolio, which includes vRAN 3.0, Open RAN, Core, private network solutions, and AI-powered automation tools, Samsung propels the industry’s advancement of 5G networks through continual research and development. Currently, the business offers mobile operators network solutions that enable connectivity for hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide.