Ericsson announced the new 5G Platform by adding new hardware and software products to the Ericsson Radio System.
Ericsson said the latest RAN Compute promises more flexibility in the deployment of Radio Access Network (RAN) software and hardware functions. The company did not indicate about the price of its 5G solutions.
The RAN Compute architecture allows service providers to flexibly distribute RAN functions – such as beamforming and radio control – to fine-tune use case performance while lowering total cost of ownership.
The RAN Compute includes all the current basebands in addition to four new RAN Compute products that provide up to three times the capacity of current basebands.
Ericsson said two new RAN Compute Basebands enable telecom service providers to deploy RAN functions centrally, or at the radio site, while two new RAN Compute Radio Processors enable RAN functions to be placed closer to the radio for enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-low latency applications while reducing site footprint.
The company’s Ericsson Spectrum Sharing software supports 5G service providers to turn on 5G and speed up network coverage.
Ericsson Spectrum Sharing enables a fast network migration through simultaneous and dynamic support of 4G and 5G within the same spectrum band using the Ericsson Radio System. Engineers can implement the new functionality via a remote software installation on Ericsson Radio System radios shipped since 2015.
This capability will allow communication service providers to deliver 5G coverage with a more flexible spectrum migration strategy – removing the need for dedicating existing 4G spectrum assets to 5G statically, which would negatively impact 4G performance.
“Networks have to implement a technology change and evolve as they embrace 5G. Ericsson helps operators with the shift to new architectures, and with the rollout of 5G in existing 4G spectrum. These are important pieces that operators are looking for in the migration from 4G to 5G,” Chris Nicoll, principal analyst, ACG Research, said.
Ericsson in pact with Juniper and ECI
Ericsson will be adding transport technologies from Juniper Networks and ECI Telecom as part of the strategy to strengthen its mobile transport solutions.
Ericsson delivers transport portfolios specifically for backhaul and fronthaul. Ericsson’s mobile backhaul product – Router 6000 – empowers close to 60 operators. More than 110 operators also use Ericsson’s 5G-ready microwave technology, MINI-LINK solutions.
Ericsson’s Router 6000 product will be complemented by Juniper’s edge and core solutions, providing connectivity from radio cell site to core, guarantying the performance, quality and ease-of-use of the 5G system.
Juniper’s security products will be part of Ericsson’s solution to secure its customers’ mobile networks as part of its approach for securing existing and new 5G networks.
Ericsson is also complementing its optical transport offering for metro with a new partnership with ECI.
The transport solutions from Juniper Networks and ECI Telecom are interoperable with Ericsson’s transport portfolio and will be managed by the same Ericsson management and orchestration solution. This will simplify the overall management and control of 5G across the radio, transport and core network.
“Mobile transport infrastructure is critical for 5G radio performance. By complementing its microwave transport and IP backhaul solutions with optical transport, edge, core, and security platforms from its partners, Ericsson will be able to offer integrated mobile transport solutions aligned with the needs of new 5G radio and mobile core networks,” Heidi Adams, senior research director, IHS Markit.
Manoj Leelanivas, chief product officer, Juniper Networks, said Juniper and Ericsson will be able to capitalize on the global opportunity in 5G networks market.
Darryl Edwards, CEO and president of ECI, said the partnership will enable both parties to address a growing customer base with a more competitive and comprehensive offering.
