Verizon has deployed Open RAN compliant, multi-vendor cell sites
Verizon has deployed virtualized radio access network (vRAN) kit at some 8,000 5G sites, both mmWave and C-Band, and plans to use this architecture at 20,000 total by the end of 2025. The operator has targeted the 2023 timeframe for commercialization of Open RAN, and Bill Stone, vice president of technology development and planning, described this vRAN effort as “an important precursor to O-RAN.”
Speaking with RCR Wireless News during the recent Open RAN Global Forum, Stone explained, “The vRAN deployment adds to the service differentiation because it’s a flexible, scalable platform that’s enabling us to quickly adapt to new use cases and enable new services.”
The disaggregated RAN piece fits into Verizon’s larger push towards network automation which includes its core network, homegrown Verizon Cloud Platform, investments in mobile edge computing (MEC), and owned fiber. “All of this positions Verizon well for the many new 5G use cases: massive IoT, more robust consumers devices, AR/VR, remote healthcare, autonomous robotics and manufacturing environments.”
To the automation point, which will explore more in subsequent coverage, Stone said, “This is one of the greatest advantages of the virtualized network…This additional agility and flexibility enables Verizon to move fast with new network capabilities. Just to name a few, network slicing iis one that we’re bringing to market,…MEC, and private networks across both enterprise and consumer environments.”
Verizon vRAN deployment is ready for Open RAN
For its vRAN deployments, Verizon is working with Intel, Red Hat, HPE, Samsung and Wind River, all firms individually and collaboratively involved in the push for Open RAN. This is important as the radio kit conforms to O-RAN Alliance specifications, specifically the 7.2x split option. Before the jump from disaggregated to proper Open RAN is taken, Stone said there will be ongoing lab-based testing.
“We do expect to get into the field,” he said. “But based on the hardware/software testing progress with our existing vendors that we’re suing today, I would just simplify and say that we have already deployed O-RAN-compliant equipment in our network today…Verizon and the ecosystem are working in the O-RAN Alliance and other standards forums to identify what enhancements and functional splits will achieve the right balance…As the evolution of the specification is finalized, our plan is to continue to drive the vendor community, both our existing vendors as well as potential new vendors, to deliver software that complies with the evolution of the O-RAN specification…All of this is important because O-RAN is going to deliver additional benefits, technical advancements, [and] additional innovation.”
Open RAN takes an ecosystem
As Open RAN testing and deployment has accelerated, more and more vendors are taking part in advancing technical specifications, defining deployment-ready blueprints and conducting interoperability testing through numerous fora and both vendor- and operator-led consortia. In addition to the benefits derived from RAN disaggregation, another overarching goal of Open RAN is to foster a more diverse pool of radio system vendors which has implications for competitive and economic dynamics.
Stone said it’s “very important that we maintain a healthy ecosystem of vendors and increase the supplier diversity. So at a high level, I would just sump both vRAN and O-RAN by saying that it is important to have that diverse vendor ecosystem in all areas and layers, including off-the-shelf hardware architectures. It’s important to contain and minimize customization in both the hardware and software domains, and it’s important to maximize software code portability between hardware platforms so that we can drive efficiency in the vendor software development community.”
Stay tuned for more on Verizon’s approach to Open RAN, and to revisit content from the Open RAN Global Forum, register for on-demand access to the virtual event.
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