What Is vRan?

A virtualized radio access network (vRan) is a flexible RAN deployment and management technique. It allows carriers to improve operational efficiency and adaptability to meet the ever-changing demands of 5G enterprise customers.

Virtualized radio access networks are the next evolutionary step of mobile networks and promise to intelligently increase and expand capacity, dramatically reduce overhead and enhance customer experience. vRan uses software-based network functions instead of more traditional hardware-based software functions. Network functions virtualization (NFV) virtualizes the RAN, allowing it to harmonize and adjust to network changes faster. This is because administrators can remotely update the network with a software patch.

vRAN is an essential step in 5G development because it allows for the dynamic allocation of radio resources. This is critical to 5G’s success, as traditional RAN architectures struggle to keep pace with the high data rates and low latency required by 5G applications and services. vRan can help carriers meet these requirements by allowing them to quickly and easily add capacity where and when needed.

In addition, vRAN can help carriers save on operational expenses. By virtualizing the RAN, carriers can reduce the expensive hardware they need to purchase and deploy. They can also utilize economies of scale by sharing resources across multiple vRAN deployments.

vRAN is seen as a significant step forward in developing 5G networks. It has the potential to improve network capacity and efficiency while reducing costs. As 5G technology continues to evolve, vRAN will play an important role in helping carriers keep pace with the ever-changing demands of their enterprise customers.

vRan Pros & Cons

The introduction of vRan capabilities solves an age-old problem for operators. Operators used to be dependent on proprietary hardware vendors for baseband operations. When the RAN is virtualized (vRan), it heightens hardware flexibility, incorporates software and system integration, and adopts strong, agile, and robust principles that stimulate innovation.

Technology corporation Cisco states, “Closed interfaces and monolithic hardware-based solutions limit progress and the ability to diversify the carrier’s supply chain. This is a substantial challenge that must be resolved, especially since an estimated 70% of network CAPEX and OPEX are associated with building and managing the RAN.”

This means that vRan solutions will boost network resiliency and utilization while streamlining network routing through a better network topology. This approach meets the shifting demands and needs of 5G enterprise customers.

However, vRan also has some potential drawbacks. One concern is that vRan solutions are still in their infancy and have not been widely adopted or tested. This lack of real-world experience could lead to unforeseen problems when vRan is deployed on a large scale.

Another potential issue is that vRan deployments could be complex and expensive. vRan solutions require a high degree of coordination and integration between hardware and software components. This complexity could lead to increased costs and longer deployment times.

Finally, some experts believe that vRan could increase the risk of cyberattacks. By virtualizing the RAN, operators could create new attack vectors that malicious actors could exploit.

What Is Samsung vRAN?

Samsung Electronics has deployed its cloud-native fully virtualized radio access network (vRan) solution for the 5G mid-band spectrum. Samsung has been collaborating with Japanese carrier KDDI to advance research on vRan and drive 5G innovation. The two companies recently reached a milestone when they completed their first standalone (SA) call using Samsung’s vRan and 5G massive MIMO radios compliant with oRan.

Kazuyuki Yoshimura, Chief Technology Officer of KDDI, said, “We are delighted to extend our collaboration with Samsung and to become the first operator in Japan to use their 5G vRAN solutions, which are currently delivering superior performance in commercial networks,” said. “We believe in the power of virtualization, and this collaboration serves as a meaningful catalyst for driving the next phase of 5G innovation and advancing our networks to offer best-in-class 5G services.”

Samsung’s vRan solution is based on the company’s 5G NR Cloud RAN platform. The solution uses commodity hardware and open-source software to virtualize the RAN and provide flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. Samsung’s vRan solution has been designed to support sub-6 GHz and mmWave spectrum.

The solution also includes Samsung’s massive MIMO radios, which comply with oRan. The radios offer high performance and flexibility and can be deployed in various urban, suburban, and rural scenarios.

Samsung’s vRan solution is currently being used by KDDI in the 5G mid-band spectrum. The two companies are also collaborating on a 5G edge computing project using vRan to enable real-time data processing and decision-making at the network edge.

What Is oRAN?

An oRan or an open radio access network is a notion that is based on the interoperability and uniformity of RAN elements which include a united interconnection standard for white-box hardware and open-source software components from various vendors.

Open access radio networks (oRan) is an entirely separate approach to deploying fronthaul and midhaul networks built completely on cloud-native principles. The purpose of oRan is to interpret, establish and build RAN solutions based on general-purpose vendor-neutral hardware, software, and open interfaces. This enables communications service providers (CSPs) to offer an integrated approach that allows businesses to access and develop innovative technologies at the lowest possible price point.

In a traditional RAN deployment, the baseband units (BBUs) and remote radio heads (RRHs) are connected using coaxial or fiber optic cables. This deployment type is often called “closed” or “non-open” because it uses proprietary hardware and software from a single vendor.

In an oRan deployment, the BBUs and RRHs are connected using Ethernet or other standard IP-based protocols. This deployment type is often called “open” because it uses commodity hardware and software from multiple vendors.

The benefits of an oRan deployment include reduced cost, increased flexibility, and faster time to market.

What Is 5G?

5G is the next generation of wireless technology that will provide faster speeds, lower latency, and more capacity than previous generations of wireless technology. 5G will enable a new class of applications that require high bandwidth and low latency, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and IoT.

5G will also enable a new class of applications that require high bandwidth and low latency, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and IoT.

vRan VS oRAN

Virtual access radio networks vRan and oRan are interrelated in their efforts to recapitulate radio network operations into software functions. The terms are often used interchangeably, but core differences separate the two.

Virtualized radio access networks essentially virtualize network functions. A vRan lets operators run the baseband function of their RAN software. oRan strives to disaggregate RAN hardware and software on vendor-neutral platforms. It operates the interface protocols between the radio unit (RU), the distributed unit (DU), and the centralized unto (CU) functions in the RAN.

vRan and oRan are working to create an ecosystem of software-defined multicommerce radio access networks that offer more choice, flexibility, and possibilities for mobile operators. The two technologies will continue to develop in lockstep as the industry works towards 5G.

What Is The New 5G Virtualized Core?

The 5G core network architecture is central to the new 5G specification and facilitates the increased demand that is expected in the future. The new 5G core has been defined by 3GPP and uses cloud-aligned services-based architecture (SBA) that incorporates all 5G interactions and functions, including security, authentication, session management, and accumulation of traffic from devices.

The 5G core emphasizes network function virtualization (NFV) as an imperative concept of design that works hand-in-hand with virtualized software functions that can be quickly deployed using MEC infrastructure, which is fundamental to 5G architectural principles.

This enables the 5G core to be scalable and adaptable to support a wide range of services with minimal delay. Moreover, the new 5G core can be quickly updated or reconfigured as needed, allowing for greater innovation and faster time to market for new services.

The 5G virtualized core is a departure from the traditional, closed network architectures of the past and sets the stage for a new era of 5G-enabled applications and services.

vRAN & Digital Transformation?

vRan and oRan are new, innovative technologies permitting 5G to take over the planet. When networks are virtualized, mobile network operators (MNOs) can decrease costs and save time as they roll out new 5G deployments. oRan offers enhanced flexibility and allows MNOs to benefit from the full spectrum of 5G capabilities. It also enables carriers to deliver rapidly deployable and customizable services through adaptable private networks with advanced speeds and near-zero latency.

vRan is a critical element of the 5G digital revolution. Still, the software-based deployment of oRan independent of hardware will give MNOs freedom to deploy innovative 5G technologies that will change the world. This goal goes hand in hand with digital transformation strategies that encompass the deployment of 4G networks to oRan 5G networks that utilize vRan. oRan and vRan enable 5G technologies to be rolled out much more efficiently and allow MNOs to drastically reduce overheads by using white-label hardware that doesn’t require built-in software protocols.

5G networks incorporate IT and cloud-based management systems, allowing MNOs to manage one network via the cloud solely. This helps to overhaul and simplify network operations and significantly reduces costs. When businesses implement vRan solutions, it helps them to uncover a much greater virtualization opportunity and allows MNOs to apply the benefits of 5G to 4G networks.

What is the Open vRAN Project?

The Open vRAN Project is an initiative started by the Linux Foundation to promote the development of open and interoperable virtualized radio access networks (vRAN). The project’s goal is to provide a platform for vendors, operators, and other stakeholders to collaborate on the design and implementation of vRAN solutions.

The Open vRAN Project is building an ecosystem of software-defined multicommerce radio access networks that offer mobile operators more choice, flexibility, and possibilities. The project is working to create a platform that will enable the deployment of vRAN solutions on various hardware platforms and enable the integration of those solutions into existing networks.

The Open vRAN Project is working to make vRAN the next step in the evolution of cellular networks by making it more virtualized and software-based. This will help to facilitate the increased demand that is expected in the future. The project is also working to enable the 5G core to be quickly updated or reconfigured as needed, allowing for greater innovation and faster time to market for new services.

Final Considerations

The benefits of vRan are endless and involve deploying world-changing transformation technologies that will revolutionize how we live, work, and communicate. vRan is a critical element of the 5G digital revolution. When networks are virtualized, mobile network operators (MNOs) can decrease costs and save time as they roll out new 5G deployments. oRan offers enhanced flexibility and allows MNOs to benefit from the full spectrum of 5G capabilities. It also enables carriers to deliver rapidly deployable and customizable services through adaptable private networks with advanced speeds and near-zero latency.

The rollout of vRan means MNOs will spend less on hardware while increasing flexibility and workability. It allows MNOs to spin workloads up and down with little effort and enables resources to be elastically scaled to address the ever-changing demands of the network and its customers. MNOs can also take advantage of vRan’s ability to offer pay-as-you-go services that are flexible and tailored to the customer’s needs.