Tag Archives: Open RAN

AI, News

Infovista enables accurate Open RAN network planning with launch of Planet 7.7

Brings AI-powered, data-driven modeling to O-RAN to maximize operators’ network ROI and subscriber experience

Paris, France – July 21st, 2022 – Infovista, the global leader in network lifecycle automation (NLA), today announced support for Open RAN planning with the launch of version 7.7 of Planet, its AI-powered RF planning solution. Operators looking to deploy O-RAN in greenfield or as a replacement to existing network infrastructure can now accurately model their network deployment to identify the optimal topology. Planet 7.7 also introduces the ability for operators to model end-to-end latency throughout the network. By modeling latency from the core to user equipment for both traditional and O-RAN architectures, operators can understand the latency subscribers will experience, an important first step towards 5G slicing, guaranteeing service-specific SLAs, and the provision of Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services.

The launch of version 7.7 brings Planet’s highly accurate AI-powered RF modeling to O-RAN. As seen recently, improving modeling precision in RAN planning and design optimization can drive significant CAPEX savings for mobile operators by either increasing RAN capacity or deferring investment in additional spectrum and radio equipment. An independent report by analyst firm Mobile Experts, Accurate RAN Planning Saves Billions, published in July 2022 calculated that a nationwide U.S. mobile network could save approximately $2 billion over a 10-year period through a reduction in the number of base stations and smalls cells deployed.

Infovista’s Smart CAPEX solution also receives improvements as a result of enhancements made to the Planet Automated Cell Planning (ACP) module that underpins it in the Planet 7.7 release. Smart CAPEX now allows operators more flexibility in specifying time-to-market and total cost of ownership parameters for backhaul fiber and candidate site locations. These improvements ensure Smart CAPEX provides operators with an optimal network expansion solution by leveraging the finest granularity of time and cost data available.

Finally, Planet 7.7 includes upgrades to support the latest network equipment vendor software versions in its Call Analytics Module. Planet is the only planning solution to offer network troubleshooting capabilities based on geolocated call traces. The Call Analytics Module within Planet allows operators to quickly assess a subscriber’s experience, locate common network problems and pre-emptively resolve RF issues using embedded vendor call trace processing and geolocation intelligence

Regis Lerbour, VP Product & R&D, RAN Engineering, Infovista said: “Planning and deploying a 3G or 4G network was relatively straight-forward compared to the complexity of 5G and operators need architectural flexibility so they can make the most of their existing and new RAN investments. Whether it is a greenfield Open RAN deployment, or mixed network with O-RAN and traditional RAN working together to deliver nationwide coverage, operators need to have confidence that their network will deliver the optimal return on investment. Planet’s AI-powered, data-driven approach enables accurate automated modeling and optimization of operators’ 3G, 4G and 5G networks. Planet 7.7 brings some important capabilities to our customers around the world and we will continue to make sure that we are delivering the innovation they need to drive their business today and into the future.”

Infovista and Rakuten will jointly present at an upcoming webinar hosted by Mobile World Live “How can data-driven RAN planning reduce the time and cost of 5G network deployment”, on 27 July 2022. Registration for this webinar is open here: https://view6.workcast.net/register?cpak=6353143311135452&referrer=InfovistaPR

For a full update on what is new in Planet, please visit: https://know.infovista.com/ra-planet/p/1

5G, News

Picocom validates 5G Open RAN SoC with Radisys interoperability milestone

Companies partner to deliver integrated Open RAN platforms to joint customers

Bristol, UK – 19 May 2022 – Picocom, the 5G Open RAN baseband semiconductor and software specialist, announced that through close partnership with Radisys, they are delivering joint 5G Open RAN platforms to customers based on Picocom’s PC802 small cell System-on-Chip (SoC) and Radisys’ Connect RAN 5G software. The PC802 flexible, low power device empowers the innovation of a new breed of 5G NR Open RAN products.

The current PC802-based interoperability milestone is based on the O-RAN split 7.2 architecture. It includes the Radisys Connect RAN 5G software (Layer 2 and Layer 3) running on an x86-based server, interfacing to the Picocom Layer 1 (L1) with the Small Cell Forum FAPI interface.

“We only just announced PC802 in December, the world’s first 4G/5G device dedicated to developing small cells with integrated support for Open RAN (Radio Access Networks) standards, so it’s great that several customers have already integrated it into their products. The wider availability of optimised silicon is just the stimulus the Open RAN telecom industry needs,” said Oliver Davies, VP Marketing, Picocom.

“Close teamwork between the Picocom and Radisys teams has enabled a high degree of interoperability in these early days of PC802. We’ve established a plan of interoperability/demo phases over 2022 for different RAN architectures and roadmap features. We recognise the significant contribution that Radisys has provided at this important validation phase of PC802,” added Vicky Messer, VP Product Management, Picocom.

“This has been a great partnership with Picocom to deliver an interoperable Open RAN small cell platform to market,” said Munish Chhabra, head of Mobility Software and Services, Radisys. “Our award-winning Connect RAN 5G NR software suite is compliant with 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance specifications, as well as the SCF’s FAPI specification, and it is playing a critical role in this Open RAN solution, making our joint vision of a thriving Open RAN ecosystem a reality today.”

Radisys and Picocom have cooperated closely to provide complete Open RAN solutions. The joint Open RAN split 7.2 configuration uses Radisys RAN protocol software CU (L3) and DU (L2) running on an Intel x86 COTS server. L1 and Open Fronthaul (OFH) run on a Picocom PC802 SoC on an inline accelerator card.

The interface between L2 and L1 is compliant with the standard Small Cell Forum FAPI protocol. The same FAPI stream is used not just to control L1 processing on PC802 but directly controls OFH Control-Plane and User-Plane processing, transparently marrying together the FAPI and OFH protocols.

The two companies are now preparing an integrated small cell solution based on PC802, with the RAN software running on a low form factor Arm-based network processor.

The PC802 is a purpose-designed PHY SoC for 5G NR/LTE small cell disaggregated and integrated Open RAN architectures that includes support for 4G. The SoC supports industry-leading Open RAN specifications and interfaces with a Layer 2/3 stack via the SCF FAPI interface over PCIe.

PC802 live demos to feature at Small Cells World Summit (SCWS) 2022 May 24-25, in London: smallcells.world. For more information and/or to download the product brief on Picocom’s PC802 5G small cell SoC, visit picocom.com/products/socs/pc802.

News, Telecoms

SCF Small Cell Awards 2022 announces two new categories dedicated to neutral host and private network deployments

Prestigious Awards ceremony will take place during SCWS in London

London, 16 March 2022 – Entries are open for the SCF Small Cell Awards 2022, with new categories added to showcase neutral host and private network deployments, as well as updated categories on the topics of small cells Open RAN and small cells technology.

The Awards ceremony will take place during a prestigious gala dinner in London at Small Cells World Summit 2022, on 24 May.

Companies from across the eco-system are invited to submit their entries by 1 April to the Awards, which are recognized as the ultimate industry badge of excellence.

Caroline Gabriel, Chair of Judges for the awards, and co-founder of Rethink Research said: “This year, as in previous years, we looked at the categories to see how well they reflected our industry and we felt that this year neutral host deployments needed a dedicated category as did private networks. These are growing areas of our industry right now, and I am looking forward to seeing the submissions for these categories where companies can showcase some of the real deployments taking place globally.

“I urge companies to submit an entry because the SCF Small Cell Awards are the Oscars of our sector and I am delighted that this year, after a two-year hiatus, we will be able to gather at a ceremony in London to celebrate the finalists and winners.”

The awards are judged independently by a panel of industry analysts and journalists. This year’s judging panel includes Sue Rudd, Director of Networks and Service Platforms, Service Provider Group, at Strategy Analytics; Keith Dyer, editor of The Mobile Network; Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, Roberto Kompany, Principal Analyst, Service Provider Networks, at Omdia and Mark Keenan, CEO of Real Wireless.

There are 10 categories in total to enter, including ‘Outstanding small cell technology in commercial use’, ‘Outstanding contribution to Open RAN networks or standards’, and ‘Outstanding innovation in chips and components to enable small cell networks’.

Submissions can be joint entries between two or more companies, and the event is open to the whole industry, not just SCF members. To find out more and to enter visit https://www.smallcellforum.org/awards/scf-small-cell-awards-2022/

Appointments, News

Small Cell Forum appoints Simon Fletcher as Chief Strategy Officer to drive its support for neutral hosts, private network operators and Open RAN architectures

10th February 2022, London, UK – Small Cell Forum (SCF) today announced it has appointed wireless veteran Simon Fletcher as its Chief Strategy Officer, drawing on 25 years direct industry experience and work as an advisor to governments, regulators and big business.

SCF CEO Sue Monahan said: ‘We’re delighted to have someone with Simon’s knowledge and contacts in the CSO role. Simon’s brief is to continue to build and strengthen SCF’s technical and regulatory support for the growing ecosystem of service providers that includes neutral hosts, private network operators, and systems integrators. Our strategy is founded on trusted, collaborative partnerships with MNOs, enterprises and policy makers. Simon has strong, long-term relationships with these stakeholders.’

Simon brings a broad range of global wireless experience, from launching 3G trial networks at NEC, work on the evolution of (e)CPRI, 3GPP RAN1/2 small cell and macro architectures, telco equipment development in joint ventures, to commercial rollouts including smart cities, stadiums, commercial property, transport hubs and IoT. In addition to sitting on the UK5G Advisory Board, he continues as a Small Cell SIG Champion at Cambridge Wireless and CTO of wireless experts Real Wireless.

Simon Fletcher said: ‘SCF is one of the industry’s most respected SDOs and I’m delighted to join the organisation as it helps drive and shape an important phase in the evolution of service models and architectures plotting a path through 5G-Advanced and 6G.

Agile, low-cost mobile infrastructure enabled by open architectures and diversified supply chains is key to the digital transformation of industry and enterprise. Small cells are an essential enabler for the new business models and ecosystems underpinning sustainable change. I believe SCF is uniquely placed to help policy-makers, service providers and equipment vendors maximise the potential and overcome the hurdles associated with this critical inflection point for our industry.’

Small Cell Forum Chair Prabhakar Chitrapu, added, ‘Simon’s experience will be invaluable in helping us further develop our strong technical and commercial base, to help guide the wider small cell ecosystem through an evolving wireless landscape.’

Major SCF work streams for 2022 include:

  • Scalable commercial models for neutral host private network deployments are critical to achieving 5G and industry goals. SCF is focused on establishing global best practice and blueprints that bring confidence to enterprise and inform policy and regulation.
  • Building on FAPI, nFAPI and Open fronthaul workstreams to provide practical options for Open RAN with a strong focus on the environments in which Open RAN deployments will succeed first.
  • Detailed specification at product and component impact level to make Open RAN and private wireless readily deployable, reducing cost and risk.