Nokia Advances 5G Cloud RAN Commercialization with vRAN2.0
Nokia is launching its vRAN2.0 5G AirScale Cloud RAN solution, moving toward general availability in 2021 following successful testing.
Nokia has announced the commercial rollout of its vRAN2.0 5G AirScale Cloud RAN, a system that virtualizes both the Centralized Unit (vCU) and the Distributed Unit (vDU). Building on the vRAN1.0 technology deployed in U.S. markets since 2019, this updated configuration utilizes x86-based processors and hardware acceleration to manage baseband computing tasks.
The deployment follows successful end-to-end data calls that integrated Nokia’s cloud packet core with the new vRAN2.0 architecture and commercial 5G hardware. The system is designed to provide mobile operators with deployment flexibility, allowing the Distributed Unit to be located at a central site, a regional edge, or directly at the cell site depending on specific infrastructure requirements.
Technologically, the solution incorporates a Fronthaul Gateway to assist operators in transitioning legacy CPRI-based radio assets to eCPRI standards. By shifting functions closer to the network edge, the architecture aims to improve support for low-latency applications and network slicing. Nokia expects to continue development into a future 'vRAN3.0' iteration by 2022, which may incorporate additional GPU-based acceleration techniques.
The company confirmed the product will reach commercial availability throughout the remainder of 2020, with a broader market release scheduled for 2021.