Vodafone Debuts Next-Gen Raspberry Pi-Based 5G Network for Small Businesses

Vodafone Debuts Next-Gen Raspberry Pi-Based 5G Network for Small Businesses

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone is introducing an enhanced version of its 5G Network in a Box at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024. Developed with Lime Microsystems, this portable 5G network, housed on a Raspberry Pi, offers expanded features and capabilities. Designed for small businesses and educational institutions, the system allows for remote configuration and management, boasts a modular design for portability, and leverages innovative technology to simplify setup and operation. This advancement underscores Vodafone’s commitment to providing accessible, reliable, and secure connectivity solutions for various sectors.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, 15-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Vodafone (LON: VOD), a British multinational leader in technology communications, is set to introduce its upgraded 5G Network in a Box at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) from February 26 to 29, 2024, at Hall 3, stand 3E11. Developed in collaboration with Lime Microsystems, this portable 5G network, housed on a Raspberry Pi personal computer, offers expanded features compared to its predecessor.

Designed with small businesses, educational institutions, and similar entities in mind, the enhanced 5G Network in a Box is perfect for those seeking an affordable, fast, and secure 5G network solution.

Key Features and Enhancements:

1. Zero Touch Operation: The new version allows for remote configuration and management, offering full over-the-air management, maintenance, configuration, and software updates via the cloud. This feature caters to customers without in-house IT or telecommunications expertise.
2. Modular Design and Portability: Sporting a more modular and lightweight design, the system is complemented with an optional battery pack, enabling autonomous operation for up to ten hours. This flexibility allows for applications such as coupling with drones to provide reliable coverage in emergency situations.
3. Expanded Connectivity: Vodafone’s 5G Network in a Box facilitates the establishment of private, fast, reliable, and ultra-secure coverage for SMEs and public sector organizations across Europe. Consumers can also benefit by setting up the box in locations with slow or unsecure Wi-Fi or extending coverage to hard-to-reach areas.
4. Innovative Technology: Leveraging Lime Microsystems’ low-cost software-defined radio (SDR) silicon, the platform utilizes SDR technology on any frequency band, reducing computing requirements and enabling the entire 5G network to fit into a Raspberry Pi. This approach simplifies configuration over the air without the need for hardware replacement.
5. Future-Ready: The 5G Network in a Box will be upgraded to support the newest Raspberry Pi 5, enhancing overall capacity, bandwidth, simultaneous users, and speed.

Developed at Vodafone’s R&D Centre in Málaga, in collaboration with partners and vendors, this innovative solution showcases the potential of Open RAN innovations. Interested partners can explore the technology firsthand at Vodafone’s MWC stand, experiencing the benefits it offers for smaller companies through collaborative development.

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SOURCE: VODAFONE