KT Corporation, NTT DOCOMO and Fujitsu Cooperate towards Test Facility Construction and Successful Interoperability Testing for Open RAN in Korea
Three companies to collaborate towards "5G Open RAN Ecosystem" to promote introduction of Open RAN
TOKYO, Jan 06, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - KT Corporation (hereinafter KT) and Fujitsu Limited (hereinafter Fujitsu) have completed a verification facility at the KT Research and Development Center in Seoul, South Korea, at which the two companies leveraged Fujitsu's Open RAN based 5G base station equipment to successfully test call connection during interoperability trials for open fronthaul (1). NTT DOCOMO, INC. (hereinafter NTT DOCOMO) has provided Fujitsu with technical support throughout the project. With the construction of this new test facility, KT will accelerate the introduction of Open RAN technology to Korea's 5G network.
As a result of their successful collaboration, the three companies have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (effective date January 6, 2022), centering on the introduction of software-defined virtualized RAN (hereinafter vRAN) and RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (2) in alignment with the "5G Open RAN Ecosystem" (3), an initiative whose participants include NTT DOCOMO and Fujitsu. In this Memorandum of Understanding, the three companies agree to cooperate towards further activities including the construction of an O-RAN test facility and multi-vendor interoperability testing in Korea.
In addition to these activities, the three companies will continue to create market-leading innovations and target the global expansion of Open RAN.
The multi-vendor RAN architecture enables optimum solutions for a variety of deployment scenarios, including small, space-saving base stations that can cover areas in city centers where communication is concentrated, or base stations that can cover wide areas and can thus contribute to efficient and flexible equipment procurement and cost reductions. Open specifications also make it possible to create safe and transparent RAN architecture.
5G mobile networks are becoming increasingly popular in Korea, and the demand for 5G is expected to grow even further in the future. KT is considering the introduction of multi-vendor Open RAN to reduce equipment procurement and construction costs and to achieve flexible network construction capabilities. To this end, KT and Fujitsu constructed an Open RAN verification facility and conducted testing for multi-vendor interoperability with O-RAN open fronthaul in October 2021. For the testing facility, KT has adopted Fujitsu's 5G base stations, which were the world's first O-RAN compliant (4) base stations adopted for commercial service by NTT DOCOMO. The tests involved verification of the interoperability between the base station controllers (CU: Central Unit/DU: Distributed Unit) of Fujitsu's 5G base station equipment and a Korean medium-sized vendor's radio unit, as well as end-to-end communication tests. The companies successfully verified O-RAN compliant operation during the tests.
Fujitsu supplied KT with 5G base station equipment and provided support during the verification tests, while Fujitsu in turn received NTT DOCOMO's technical support for multi-vendor interoperability testing.
Moving forward, KT aims to further expand its verification facilities with an eye toward the future introduction of Open RAN based vRAN and RIC systems.
The three companies plan to further strengthen their collaboration as part of the "5G Open RAN Ecosystem" initiative.
(1) Open fronthaul: O-RAN standardized interface that connects CU/DU and RU. (2) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC): RAN Controller able to optimize the management of radio resources and automize operations. (3) 5G Open RAN Ecosystem: Activity by NTT DOCOMO, Fujitsu and partner companies with the objective to globally accelerate open radio access networks (open RAN), and help enable flexible network deployment to serve diverse company and operator needs in the 5G era, including vRAN commercialization. (4) O-RAN compliant: Compliance with common specification developed by the O-RAN ALLIANCE (Open Radio Access Network ALLIANCE), an industry group that promotes standardization with the aim of realizing a next-generation radio access network that is open and extensible. KT, Fujitsu and NTT DOCOMO are members of the O-RAN ALLIANCE.
About KT Corporation
KT Corporation, as a digital platform business (DIGICO) that is operated based on AI, Big Data, and Cloud (ABC), we provide advanced information and communications technology (ICT) services based on convergence between cutting-edge IoT technology and business sectors. KT Corporation is committed to leading the way as a business specializing in digital technology that will revolutionize our future way of life by creating social and economic public value and achieving balanced growth in the communications and platform business. https://corp.kt.com/eng/
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 126,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$34 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 83 million subscriptions, is one of the world's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english.
Source: Fujitsu Ltd Sectors: Telecoms, 5G, Daily Finance, Wireless, Apps
Copyright ©2024 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.
|
Latest Press Release
Fujitsu SX Survey reveals key success factors for sustainability Apr 23, 2024 10:25 JST
| Fujitsu and METRON collaborate to drive ESG success: slashing energy costs, boosting productivity with new manufacturing industry solutions Apr 22, 2024 16:09 JST
| NEC Strengthens Commitment to Space Industry with Investment in Seraphim Space Venture Fund II Apr 22, 2024 15:09 JST
| Soft Space Launches the First and Only JCB Payment Gateway in Malaysia Apr 22, 2024 15:00 JST
| TOYOTA GAZOO Racing takes a one-two in Croatian thriller Apr 22, 2024 10:47 JST
| First-ever Mazda CX-80 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe Apr 19, 2024 13:50 JST
| Fujitsu develops technology to convert corporate digital identity credentials, enabling participation of non-European companies in European data spaces Apr 19, 2024 10:17 JST
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NGK to Jointly Develop Hydrogen Purification System from Ammonia Cracking Gas Apr 18, 2024 17:01 JST
| Toyota Launches All-New Land Cruiser "250" Series in Japan Apr 18, 2024 13:39 JST
| Fujitsu and Oracle collaborate to deliver sovereign cloud and AI capabilities in Japan Apr 18, 2024 11:14 JST
| Eisai: Research on Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease Based on Its Pathological Mechanisms Recieves Award for Science and Technology (Research Category) Apr 18, 2024 10:53 JST
| All-New Triton Confirmed as First Double-Cab Pickup Truck to Achieve 2024 Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating Apr 18, 2024 09:22 JST
| Eisai's Antiepileptic Drug Fycompa Injection Formulation Launched In Japan Apr 17, 2024 16:17 JST
| Honda Unveils Next-generation EV Series for China Apr 17, 2024 12:15 JST
| Lexus presents Time at the 2024 Milan Design Week Apr 16, 2024 18:49 JST
| Mitsubishi Corporation Announces Participation in a DAC Project in Louisiana, USA Apr 16, 2024 14:36 JST
| New circuit challenge for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Apr 15, 2024 17:21 JST
| TOYOTA GAZOO Racing back on asphalt for Croatian challenge Apr 12, 2024 19:36 JST
| Heidelberg Materials North America Announces Latest Milestone in Edmonton CCUS Project Apr 12, 2024 14:39 JST
| MHIAEL Completes Expansion of the its Nagasaki Plant for Manufacture of Aero Engine Combustors Apr 11, 2024 18:08 JST
|
More Latest Release >>
|