The two companies are working toward optimizing the deployment of future 5G networks at faster and consistent speeds.
Tech giants Verizon and Samsung announced that they have successfully completed their 5G virtual RAN (vRAN) trials using the C-band spectrum in a live network environment. The success of the tests marks a new milestone in the companies’ joint efforts to optimize scalable 5G networks as they anticipate the rapid expansion of 5G technology in the U.S. Verizon has already adopted vRAN for its network build, while Samsung currently supports advanced features such as Massive MIMO (mMIMO) for its vRAN portfolio. Verizon acquired C-band for $52.9 billion at the FCC C-band auction early this year, and it is planning to deploy a C-band 5G network. This will allow the company to offer increased mobility and broadband services to customers and businesses.
The virtualization trial of the 5G Ultra Wideband service was conducted via Verizon’s live network in three US states: Texas, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In coordination with Verizon’s virtualized core, it used Samsung’s containerized, cloud-native fully virtualized RAN software and hardware solutions supporting 64T64R mMIMO configuration. Samsung’s mMIMO involves antenna arrays that use a number of transmitters to create more signal paths between a device and a cell tower. This also reduces interference through a process called beamforming, where the beam is directed from the cell site directly to the customer’s location. This means higher and better speeds for using apps as well as uploading and downloading files.
Samsung’s C-band 64T64R Massive MIMO radios support digital and dynamic beamforming SU-MIMO, MU-MIMO, and dual connectivity and carrier aggregation.
According to a press release, the trials were able to produce speeds “commensurate with traditional hardware-based equipment.”
Verizon is currently using its 4G spectrum for 5G through Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) along with focused mmWave deployments. With the introduction of C-band, the company is expected to put the new spectrum to use. However, to successfully deploy this, Verizon will need a robust network and an expansive coverage footprint. Verizon has already confirmed that vRAN will be the mainstay for its C-band deployments and will be working on transitioning to virtual and Open RAN across its entire network.
Cloud-native virtualized architecture can enable improved flexibility, agility and cost-efficiency in networks. This will eventually allow for wide-scale mobile edge computing and network slicing. Opportunities for new services in the future can be expected as well in the later phases of 5G, once it expands beyond present smartphone and mobile broadband markets. Virtualization is relevant to the successful deployment and operation of services under advanced 5G networks. These services include massive scale Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, consumer devices and solutions, AR/VR, remote health care, autonomous robots in manufacturing, and ubiquitous smart city solutions.
While the company’s current vRAN equipment can support open interfaces, initial deployments will most likely be single-vendor, with multi-vendor Open RAN to follow later. Verizon is currently working on other endeavors to accelerate the expansion of 5G Ultra Wideband service using the C-band spectrum, including more trials integrating C-band with mmWave licensed spectrum, securing new partnerships with Verizon’s tower partners, and the installation of C-band equipment.
The company is expecting to launch the service in the first quarter of 2022 in the initial 46 markets and is aiming to provide 5G Ultra Wideband to 100 million customers. Coverage will be increased to over 175 million people by 2023. Once the remaining C-band spectrum is cleared, Verizon is expecting more than 250 million people will be able to access the 5G Ultra Wideband on C-band spectrum.
