Vodafone and Intel Strengthen Alliance to Optimize Open RAN Algorithms

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone and Intel are extending their collaboration to optimize advanced algorithms for Open Radio Access Networks (RAN) platforms, focusing on enhancing performance and reducing energy consumption. This expansion builds upon their existing research partnership centered in Málaga, Spain, and aims to leverage 4th Gen Intel Xeon processors with Intel vRAN Boost for commercial deployment in the UK by 2024. Through this collaboration, they aim to drive research in evolving Open RAN architecture and developing efficient algorithms for 5G massive MIMO using AI and ML technologies. The partnership underscores a commitment to unlocking cost reduction, energy savings, and enhanced performance for customers.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, 4-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Vodafone (LON: VOD), a British multinational leader in technology communications, and Intel are proud to announce the expansion of their collaborative efforts to optimize advanced algorithms for Open Radio Access Networks (RAN) platforms, aimed at delivering superior performance while minimizing energy consumption.

Building upon their longstanding research partnership centered at Vodafone’s innovation center in Málaga, Spain, this extended collaboration focuses on harnessing the power of 4th Gen Intel Xeon processors with Intel vRAN Boost, slated for commercial deployment in the UK by the first half of 2024.

Central to the collaboration is the principle of Open RAN, which advocates for the disaggregation of access networks and mobile antennas within open radio domains, fostering innovation by separating hardware and software. By leveraging the expertise of the Telecommunication Institute of University of Málaga, the trio aims to drive research and innovation in evolving Open RAN architecture and developing efficient algorithms for 5G massive MIMO using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

Santiago Tenorio, Vodafone’s Director of Network Architecture, remarked, “Open RAN has opened the doors to unforeseen benefits through greater disaggregation. Vodafone and its partners are now focussed on realising this potential to reduce costs and improve energy savings while enhancing performance for our customers.”

Dan Rodriguez, corporate vice president and general manager, Network and Edge Solutions Group at Intel, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Future radio networks rely on innovations that the industry invests in today. Our work with Vodafone and other companies across the industry on next-gen technologies is critical and helps foster a broad, open ecosystem.”

By integrating advanced algorithms and technologies across its network footprint, including the core, edge, access, and radio, Vodafone aims to meet future demand and scale up new 5G features like network slicing. This approach eliminates the need for multiple chipsets in radio units, enabling Vodafone to enhance speeds and capacity continuously while delivering critical services efficiently.

Editors’ Note: Since 2022, the collaboration between Vodafone and Intel has yielded significant advancements in Open RAN systems’ performance and energy efficiency, driving down the total cost of ownership. Moving forward, the partners plan to focus on next-generation processing technologies for telecommunications data centers, extending the benefits of their joint IP to other AI/ML-reliant industries.

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About Vodafone

Vodafone is the largest pan-European and African telecoms company. We provide mobile and fixed services to over 300 million customers in 17 countries, partner with mobile networks in 45 more and have one of the world’s largest IoT platforms. In Africa, our financial technology businesses serve more than 76 million customers across eight countries – managing more transactions than any other provider.

Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, businesses and help progress inclusive sustainable societies. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040.

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SOURCE: VODAFONE