
Dell Technologies and Fujitsu have teamed up to make it easier for communications service providers (CSPs) to accelerate the adoption and simplify the deployment of open radio access network (Open RAN) solutions worldwide, according to a new announcement.
The companies will pave the way for CSPs to design open networks using technologies of their choice by collaborating on Open RAN solutions and initiatives, including:
- Combining Fujitsu’s carrier-grade Open RAN compliant radio units (RUs) with the Dell Open RAN Accelerator Card to provide CSPs with a high-performance choice of critical technology for more efficient open RAN deployments.
- A unified reference architecture, combining Fujitsu’s expertise in open networking and radio access network software with Dell’s expertise in open technologies. The solution will include multi-band RUs, virtualized RAN and lifecycle management software from Fujitsu, and virtualized RAN and Open RAN Accelerator Cards from Dell.
- Fujitsu’s 5G Open RAN Interoperability Lab in Richardson, Texas, will be connected to the Dell Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab in Round Rock, Texas, providing an extended ORAN test environment for CSPs, ecosystem partners and new ORAN technology entrants.
Bob O’Donnell, President of TECHnalysis Research, said, “With the growth of edge computing applications expected in 5G, network operators must consider new options such as Open RAN to help make their networks more scalable, flexible and cost-efficient. A key way to achieve this is a more open ecosystem, so it’s important for industry leaders like Dell and Fujitsu to collaborate on new options that can match the performance of today’s traditional networks while lowering costs.
Designed for Dell PowerEdge and other x86-based servers, the Dell Open RAN Accelerator Card is an inline Layer 1 processing card that brings the performance of today’s radio access networks to the Open RAN ecosystem, the company as
The card increases server performance by processing all Layer 1 computations, allowing the server CPU to focus only on Layer 2 computations. Offloading Layer 1 computations from the server CPU reduces overall CPU requirements, power consumption and overall cost.
With Fujitsu’sRUs, which are deployed in networks around the world, multiple bands are supported in one compact unit to provide flexibility and choice, the company said. The radios’ high-efficiency amplifier technology helps operators reduce power consumption, supporting green initiatives with greater energy efficiency.
Andrew Vaz, Vice President of Product Management, Dell Technologies Telecom Systems Business, said, “With Fujitsu’s ORAN technology, we bring added value to communications service providers with access to a wide range of choosing ecosystem and technology partners that create value for their open network deployments We are expanding our partner ecosystem to drive faster innovation and a cheaper and more efficient path to openness in the RAN, so network operators can deploy open, 5G networks with confidence.”
Greg Manganello, Vice Head of Fujitsu’s Mobile Systems Business Unit, said, “Our collaboration with Dell will expand the growing Open RAN ecosystem, giving operators more power to choose the best components for their network, regardless of manufacturer. The innovation and network efficiency inherent in Open RAN technology will also contribute to a more connected and sustainable world.