Etisalat is set to trial Parallel Wireless 2G, 3G, 4G & 5G OpenRAN across its markets in Middle East, Asia and Africa.
The trial is aimed at simplifying Etisalat’s network deployments and lowering overall costs by using software-based, virtualised OpenRAN network architectures. This also offers greater agility and reduced maintenance costs by converging ‘ALL G’, including 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, on to one unified software platform that is easy to manage.
This eliminates the need to maintain siloed legacy networks dedicated to just one G service, resulting in the OPEX cost reduction to maintain networks. This will allow Etisalat Group to modernise legacy networks for cost reduction and reduces the complexity and integration expense of rolling out multi-vendor 5G systems.
By decoupling the programmable RAN software from the hardware and allowing it to run on general-purpose processing platforms, the multi-technology software-defined GPP-based OpenRAN base stations will allow Etisalat to deploy ALL G systems with fully virtualised 2G, 3G 4G technology that is software upgradable to 5G.
Etisalat can run simultaneously 2G, 3G and 4G on the same base station to provide commercial data and voice services to its customers in urban and rural scenarios. Multi-technology RRUs are software-defined and can utilise any 3GPP-compliant RAN split to connect to any COTS vBBU enabling vendor interoperability and supplier cost reduction even further.
OpenRAN Controller, O-RAN compliant software, lowers the cost of RAN through simplification, automation via real-time SON, and full virtualisation of networks. It will provide seamless mobility between different technologies, local breakout, and low latency for the best subscriber experience for Etisalat’s customers. The software enables OpenRAN architecture by using standard-based and open interfaces, simplifies network management and integration of new RAN products into the core and enables a clear and cost-effective technology evolution.
Hatem Bamatraf, CTO, Etisalat International, said, “This is…the world’s first ‘ALL G’ OpenRAN set to provide efficiency and cost benefits for 4G and 5G in addition to setting a roadmap for the next generation of telecom networks.”
