Aricent, a global design and engineering firm, Benetel, Phluido, and Tech Mahindra announced that they are co-creating a Virtualized LTE RAN Reference solution under the guidance of CableLabs.
The reference solution by Telecom Infra Project’s vRAN members enables cable network providers to launch new services, deliver consistent Quality of Service over 4G and prepare for 5G.
A cable network with DOCSIS is susceptible to variations in delay and throughput in the data path. This innovative reference solution relies on a functional split known as 3GPP Option 7-x and includes a combination of advanced features including protocols for fronthaul. Enhancements to RAN Layer 1 and Layer 2 implementations from Phluido and Aricent allows cable operators to overcome common challenges with DOCSIS, such as latency, jitter, and limited capacity to make it an effective means for fronthaul transport. In this way, cable operators can benefit from RAN virtualization and centralization, while reusing existing DOCSIS network infrastructure as transport.
Aricent is the lead software integrator in this initiative. The reference solution utilizes Aricent LTE RAN software framework based on Cloud-RAN architecture. The solution has LTE Layer 3 and Layer 2 integrated with Phluido’s virtualized Layer 1 and Benetel’s Remote Radio Unit (RRU). The RRU provides a platform that is capable of supporting both 4G and 5G networks. Network Equipment Provider (NEPs) can monetize the reference solution supported on General Purpose Processor (GPP) and RRU to provide LTE solutions leverage today’s cable network and future advancements.
N Mohan Rangan, Chief Engineering Officer, Aricent
Some analysts estimate that operators across the world could invest well over $20bn in virtualizing their networks. The virtualization of the RAN will help operators to scale their networks in line with customer demand and rapidly launch new features.
Arunmozhi Balasubramanian, SVP, Network Services - Solutions & Strategy, Tech Mahindra
TIP RAN project groups are paving the way for a truly open, virtualized and dis-aggregated RAN which is critical for connecting the unconnected and for cost effective capacity augmentation in dense urban population areas.
