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Virtualised network infrastructure delivers same throughput but with better efficiency, scalability.
Vodafone and Nokia on Monday announced the successful completion of a cloud radio access network (C-RAN) trial.
The Finnish vendor’s C-RAN architecture splits baseband processing assets between real-time and non-real-time functions. This enables time-critical functions to be performed closer to end users at the edge of the network, while non-time-critical functions are centralised and virtualised, offering better network visibility and allowing radio capacity to be dynamically scaled up and allocated.
During the trial, the virtualised infrastructure met Vodafone’s requirements for capacity and resiliency, but with added agility, scalability and efficiency.
"Working with Nokia on this trial we have seen how the application of cloud RAN architecture can help the network react to changing demands quickly," said Santiago Tenorio, head of networks at Vodafone.
The trial took place at Vodafone’s testing facility in Italy, and evaluated the performance of Nokia’s AirScale cloud base station server and AirFrame data centre platform. Nokia engineers worked with Vodafone to prepare, execute and validate the results of the trial.
"Our cloud RAN technology can help operators optimise network performance even as they cope with the increasing demands being placed upon them," said Roberto Loiola, who heads up Nokia’s Vodafone account.
Vodafone and Nokia said they plan to continue collaborating on virtualised infrastructure with a view to deploying the technology commercially.
