Vodafone is using technology from Parallel Wireless to deploy macro OpenRAN pilots in Turkey and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of an initiative to reduce deployment and maintenance costs for RAN platforms.
Parallel Wireless’ ALL G cloud-native fully virtualised RAN solution has been deployed in both urbanised and less dense locations, and allows operators to meet growing demand for mobile broadband services while meeting the cost demands of maintaining an ALL G network and expanding its capacity.
The OpenRAN solution disaggregates hardware and software to make deployments fully virtualised, easy and affordable to install, maintain, and upgrade to any future technology. This can reduce OPEX by as much as a third.
The multi-technology software-defined GPP-based base stations allowed Vodafone to replace legacy 2G systems with fully virtualised 2G technology and to run simultaneously 2G and 4G on the same base station to provide commercial data and voice services to Vodafone customers in Turkey, in urban and rural parts of the country.
At the same time, customers in DRC are receiving 2G and 3G service from the same base station simultaneously in a forthcoming trial. Multi-technology RRUs are software-defined, easy to deploy and maintain.
OpenRAN Controller virtualises ALL G RAN and core functions (i.e., vBSC for 2G, vRNC for 3G, small cell and core gateways for 4G) to lower the cost of RAN through simplification, automation, and full virtualisation of networks. It also provides seamless mobility, local breakout, and low latency for optimal subscriber experience.
The software enables an OpenRAN architecture by using standard-based and open interfaces between network components, enabling an OpenRAN ecosystem. It also simplifies network management and integration of new RAN products into the core of the network through its automation layer and enables a clear technology evolution.
Amrit Heer, Head of Business Development, EME, Parallel Wireless said: “Hardware-based networks are costly and difficult to maintain and upgrade. By shifting networks to virtualised OpenRAN, telecom operators can cloudify their networks to deliver coverage to every single subscriber at much lower cost.”
