Vodafone, Samsung, and AMD Successfully Demo End-to-End Data Call on Open RAN Platform

Vodafone, Samsung, and AMD Successfully Demo End-to-End Data Call on Open RAN Platform

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone, alongside Samsung and AMD, successfully demonstrated an end-to-end data call using AMD’s new general-purpose processor on an Open RAN platform. This achievement highlights Vodafone’s commitment to expanding the Open RAN ecosystem and fostering innovation. The collaboration showcases the potential for higher-performing processors to enhance network capabilities and meet evolving customer demands. Additionally, Vodafone is exploring silicon photonic chips for future advancements, while ongoing partnerships with Samsung and AMD aim to optimize microprocessor performance for Open RAN applications.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 13-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Vodafone (LON: VOD), a British multinational leader in technology communications, in partnership with Samsung and AMD, proudly announces the successful demonstration of their groundbreaking end-to-end data call utilizing AMD’s cutting-edge general-purpose processor on an Open RAN platform.

This milestone not only showcases the seamless functionality of the technology but also underscores Vodafone’s commitment to expanding the Open RAN ecosystem by integrating new silicon partners. By fostering innovation and fostering increased competition, Vodafone aims to provide network operators with a wider array of software and hardware choices while reinforcing the vendor supply chain.

To meet the growing demands for enhanced customer services, fully open and adaptable radio access network platforms require high-performance and more efficient general-purpose processors capable of executing advanced tasks. This joint achievement highlights the technical prowess of the companies involved in developing, functionalizing, and testing silicon chips, coupled with leading-edge software optimized for Open RANs.

The inaugural call, conducted at Samsung’s R&D lab in Korea, utilized Samsung’s Open RAN-compliant, virtualized RAN (vRAN) software, integrated with AMD’s latest EPYC™ 8004 General Purpose Processor (GPP) on Supermicro’s latest Edge servers, supported by Wind River’s cloud-based platform. This demonstration validated the platform’s ability to meet Vodafone’s technology objectives, confirming key metrics such as performance and energy efficiency, while showcasing successful interoperability between partners’ products.

Nadia Benabdallah, Network Strategy and Engineering Director at Vodafone Group, commented, “Vodafone, alongside Samsung and AMD, is at the forefront of developing purpose-built silicon to power the next generation of mobile networks. Through collaborative efforts within the industry, we aim to cultivate a dynamic Open RAN ecosystem to meet the escalating demand for faster connectivity without compromising reliability.”

June Moon, Executive Vice President & Head of R&D, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, added, “This collective effort signifies a significant milestone for the mobile network industry in advancing Open RAN by embracing multiple providers across every layer of the network stack. The demonstration underscores Samsung’s commitment to realizing the full potential of mobile networks through openness.”

The announcement coincides with Vodafone’s ongoing research and development efforts at its Málaga, Spain, facility, where engineers are testing and propelling the advancement of new silicon chip solutions. These innovations will be showcased at Vodafone’s stand (Hall 3, stand 3E11) at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 24, from February 26 to 29, 2024.

Looking ahead, Vodafone is exploring the potential of silicon photonic chips, leveraging light instead of electricity for computational operations. These photonic chips promise superior speed, efficiency, and reliability compared to traditional electronic equivalents, holding immense potential for future device and network enhancements.

Vodafone’s collaboration with industry leaders like Samsung and AMD will continue to elevate the performance of current microprocessors powering Open RAN, ensuring optimized functionality for years to come.

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SOURCE: VODAFONE