Verizon and Samsung have conducted an end-to-end fully virtualized 5G data session over C-band spectrum over a live network, according to the carrier. The demonstration anticipates the carrier’s use of C-band spectrum it recently acquired.
Virtualization decouples the hardware and software layers of a network device. It greatly enhances the flexibility and improves the economics in providing the bandwidth, latency and other attributes requested by users. This is especially important as network elements are decentralized.
The session was conducted using Verizon’s C-band Special Temporary Authority from the FCC over Verizon’s network in Texas, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trial, which achieved speeds that were on par with traditional hardware-based settings, utilized Samsung’s fully virtualized RAN (vRAN) solution, software stack and C-band 64T64R Massive MIMO radio with Verizon’s virtualized core.
“We have been driving the industry to large scale virtualization using the advanced architecture we have built into our network from the core to the far edge. This recent accomplishment paves the way for a more programmable, efficient, and scalable 5G network,” Senior Vice President of Technology Planning at Verizon Adam Koeppe said in a press release about the Verizon Samsung achievement. “Customers deserve more than mere access to 5G. They deserve 5G built with the highest, gold-standard engineering practices that have positioned Verizon as the most reliable industry leader for years.”
Virtualization has gotten a tremendous amount of attention from carriers, including Verizon.
In January, the carrier and Samsung rolled out a 5G vRAN (virtualized radio access network). vRANs are important in the creation of programmable networks capable of dynamically allocating resources.
Last August, Verizon said it completed a fully virtualized end-to-end 5G data session. A month earlier, Verizon said it had taken a key step with the completion of an end-to-end session overs its 5G standalone core network.
