Qualcomm 5G RAN Platform Enables Next-Generation Virtualized Interoperable Cellular Networks Worldwide

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced a family of chip platforms for 5G network infrastructure, targeting a wide range of deployment scenarios from macro base stations supporting massive MIMO to compact small base stations, accelerating the cellular ecosystem's transformation to virtualized, interoperable radio access networks (RAN) - a trend driven by 5G. Qualcomm Technologies launched three new 5G RAN platforms: Qualcomm® RF Unit Platform, Qualcomm® Distributed Unit Platform and Qualcomm® Distributed RF Unit Platform. The three platforms released this time are the world's first solutions announced specifically to support leading mobile operators in deploying a new generation of open, converged virtual RAN (vRAN) networks. The above platforms are designed to enable communications equipment manufacturers to transform public networks and wireless enterprise private networks into innovation platforms to realize the full potential of 5G.

Launched three new 5G RAN platforms to support operators in deploying next-generation open, converged vRAN networks

“Qualcomm Technologies’ deep 5G expertise and global technology leadership uniquely position the company to deliver a comprehensive network infrastructure platform to support the large-scale deployment of innovative, high-performance, virtualized and modular 5G networks,” said Cristiano Amon, president of Qualcomm Incorporated. “We are working closely with mobile operators, network equipment manufacturers, standards organizations and others to enable these deployments. ”

The 5G RAN series of platforms are designed to support existing and emerging network equipment manufacturers to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of vRAN equipment and features to meet the needs of public and private networks for 5G. The above new platforms provide a fully scalable and highly flexible architecture for macro base station and small base station deployment, supporting all 5G functional division options between distributed units (DU) and radio units (RU) - this also complements Qualcomm Technologies' existing small base station 5G RAN platform products.

Qualcomm 5G RAN Platform Series Supports a Wide Range of Deployment Scenarios

These new solutions build on Qualcomm Technologies’ pioneering wireless expertise and long history of providing technology for cellular infrastructure, including enabling the commercialization of 3G network equipment in the 1990s and 2000s, and providing cellular chipsets for small cells over the past decade. Qualcomm Technologies’ network infrastructure solutions have enabled Rakuten Mobile to build the world’s first scaled vRAN in Japan.

Key highlights of the Qualcomm 5G RAN platform portfolio:

· For macro and small cells: The solutions provide scalable support for a wide range of network infrastructure types, from macro cells supporting massive MIMO to small cells.

High-Performance Modem and RF System: Qualcomm 5G RAN Platforms feature a complete 5G modem and RF system (including baseband, transceiver, RF front end and antenna panel) designed to deliver superior wireless performance, including high power and capacity.

High-performance virtualized products with integrated hardware acceleration: Flexible vRAN architecture integrates hardware accelerators for modem and fronthaul processing to support high-throughput, low-latency network processing with excellent power efficiency and compact device design.

Flexible, scalable, interoperable interfaces : Supports all major 5G functional split options between distributed units (DUs) and radio units (RUs), enabling the disaggregation of the RAN into standards-compliant and interoperable modular components.

Integrated solution supporting sub-6 GHz and mmWave: The distributed unit (DU) natively integrates both sub-6 GHz and mmWave basebands, and the radio unit (RU) supports global 5G sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands as well as 4G bands.

Qualcomm Technologies is working with the industry’s leading mobile operators to accelerate the transition to next-generation communications devices.

AT&T

“AT&T has been at the forefront of each generation of wireless technology, including 5G, and we will continue to develop and deploy the most innovative solutions to meet the needs of our customers,” said Andre Fuetsch, chief technology officer, network services, AT&T Communications. “But we can’t do it alone, so we are excited to collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies on future 5G network deployment models, including vRAN and open RAN. The Qualcomm 5G RAN family of platforms will enable us to deliver new and enhanced experiences to our customers, and together we will realize the 5G vision.”

British Telecom/EE

英国电信企业事业部首席技术创新官Fotis Karonis表示：“英国电信致力于提供最具创新性的解决方案，利用科技的力量帮助客户优化运营、释放全新潜能。我们不断突破5G创新边界，率先于2019年5月在英国推出5G服务，与主要科技创新企业合作创新，在英国各地部署诸多5G用例。我们与Qualcomm Technologies合作为用户以及医疗健康、智慧码头等垂直行业带来了突破性能力和显著优势。我们非常高兴Qualcomm Technologies能通过其5G RAN平台产品路线图持续为5G发展及部署做出重要贡献。”

Germany Telecom

“Deutsche Telekom and Qualcomm Technologies have a long-standing collaboration and through our strategic partnership we have addressed many technical challenges in the evolution of wireless telecommunications services. As a recognized European 5G leader, Deutsche Telekom has always been keen to work with companies that embrace innovation and push the boundaries of technology,” said Claudia Nemat, member of Deutsche Telekom’s Technology and Innovation Board. “I am delighted that Qualcomm Technologies is entering this space of next-generation open, virtualized network evolution and I am confident that Qualcomm Technologies will be able to bring innovative, energy-efficient open RAN solutions to the ecosystem. Congratulations to Qualcomm Technologies on the launch of their new 5G RAN family of solutions today.”

KDDI CORPORATION

“KDDI launched 5G commercial services in March 2020 and is rapidly expanding its network coverage,” said Tatsuo Sato, vice president and technical planning management officer at KDDI CORPORATION. “5G uses higher frequency bands than previous generations of wireless communication technologies, so we consider dense networking as one of the key points of our 5G network strategy. In addition, open network architecture will enable efficient and flexible dense 5G network deployment. We expect the Qualcomm 5G RAN platform to further promote the development of open 5G network architecture and help realize innovative 5G networks and services.”

KT Telecom

“After deploying 5G commercial networks at scale, KT Telecom continues to help usher in a new era of innovation through 5G networks and services. Collaboration with global 5G leaders such as Qualcomm Technologies is critical to driving 5G development,” said Hyeon-Seuk Lee, executive vice president of KT Telecom. “The new Qualcomm 5G RAN platform will enable closer collaboration between the two parties to provide users with a reliable, robust and powerful mobile experience enabled by 5G. As a global 5G leader, KT Telecom will work with Qualcomm Technologies to continue to drive 5G innovation in the next decade and beyond.”

LG Uplus

“Since launching the world’s first 5G network in April 2019, we are excited to see that our 5G solutions and services are changing the landscape of the entire industry and ecosystem in Korea,” said Sangmin Lee, chief technology officer of LG Uplus. “Our success is inseparable from our collaboration with industry leaders, including Qualcomm Technologies, who are committed to inventing innovative technologies that improve society. We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to deliver a rich 5G product portfolio from smartphones to network infrastructure. We sincerely congratulate Qualcomm Technologies on the launch of their new 5G RAN platform.”

NTT DOCOMO

“Global consumer demand for faster connections and more immersive mobile experiences is growing, and Qualcomm Technologies helps us ensure our customers enjoy the best entertainment experiences at the fastest speeds on their devices,” said Sadayuki Abeta, vice president and general manager of radio access network development at NTT DOCOMO. “DOCOMO is working with industry leaders to make 5G radio access networks more open and flexible, and we expect the Qualcomm 5G RAN platform to be an important part of accelerating this journey.”

Rakuten Mobile

“Last month, Rakuten Mobile launched ‘Rakuten UN-LIMIT V’ 5G service based on our fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network, delivering disruptive technology that will help our customers save money,” said Tareq Amin, Representative Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Rakuten Mobile. “Powered by Qualcomm Technologies’ innovative RAN platform, we are continuing to expand our network coverage and lead the industry in adopting open, disaggregated networks.”

Reliance Jio

“As Jio continues to support and drive open RAN technologies, our long-standing collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies will help accelerate the development of a complete suite of 5G products and solutions,” said Mathew Oommen, president, Reliance Jio Infocomm. “The full capabilities of software-defined RAN, from silicon to software, will be tested at Jio Scale. These standards-based open RAN technologies along with the new Qualcomm 5G RAN platform will help bridge the digital divide with gigabit networks and deliver the inclusive digital platform that is essential to life today in India and beyond.”

SK Telecom

“We would like to congratulate Qualcomm Technologies on the launch of the new Qualcomm 5G RAN platform, which is another key milestone in Qualcomm’s development. As a leading 5G service provider, SK Telecom has been committed to bringing new innovative experiences to users through mobile cloud gaming, immersive media, remote collaboration, smart factories and enterprise applications. We believe that collaboration with industry leaders from different backgrounds such as Qualcomm Technologies is crucial to continue to promote 5G innovation. In the post-epidemic era, we look forward to continued cooperation with Qualcomm Technologies to help customers fully connect everything, people, businesses and society.”