In an unprecedented move within the Canadian telecommunications sector, TELUS, in partnership with Samsung Electronics, has announced the creation of Canada’s first commercial virtualized and open radio access network (RAN). This collaboration represents a significant leap forward in the deployment of intelligent, next-generation technology that promises enhanced performance, unparalleled flexibility, and improved energy efficiency. The integration of Samsung’s vRAN 3.0 and Open RAN solutions paves the way for future technological advancements and marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Canada’s telecommunications infrastructure.
What is Virtualized RAN and Open RAN?
At its core, Virtualized RAN (vRAN) shifts the reliance from traditional hardware-based network functions to software-centric solutions, offering telecom providers like TELUS faster access to the latest technologies. Open RAN further complements this by allowing the use of components from various manufacturers, ensuring a more flexible, efficient, and innovative network deployment. Together, these technologies enable a modular, state-of-the-art wireless network, setting new standards for performance and energy savings.
The TELUS and Samsung Partnership
Since TELUS’ selection of Samsung as its 5G network vendor in June 2020, the partnership has been at the forefront of telecommunications innovation.
This is a very exciting milestone for TELUS and the industry overall, as we now have the most flexible way to offer a diversified set of services to Canadians, unlocking new levels of mobile experiences, – Nazim Benhadid, Chief Technology Officer at TELUS.
Junehee Lee, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Sales & Marketing, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the ongoing transformation in mobile communications driven by software-centric innovation.
Benefits for Canada
The deployment of Canada’s first 5G Virtualized RAN, Open RAN network, is more than a technological achievement; it represents a significant step forward in enhancing the mobile experience for Canadian consumers and businesses. With the ability to integrate components from various manufacturers and leverage software over hardware, TELUS can provide its customers with faster access to the latest technologies, ensuring a robust, reliable, and future-proof network.
Future Implications
The commercial deployment of this network, set to begin in the first half of this year with a large-scale rollout expected by mid-2024, signifies a momentous shift towards a more innovative, sustainable, and flexible telecommunications infrastructure in Canada. Samsung’s AI-based Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) will enable TELUS to accelerate vRAN rollouts, ensuring end-to-end automation and easier deployment, operation, and optimization of the network.
Conclusion
The partnership between TELUS and Samsung to develop Canada’s first 5G Virtualized RAN, Open RAN network, is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the telecommunications industry. By embracing cutting-edge technologies, TELUS is not only enhancing the mobile experience for Canadians but also setting the stage for future advancements in the sector.
As we look forward to the nationwide rollout of this network, we invite our readers to share their thoughts and expectations in the comments below. How do you think this development will impact Canada’s digital landscape and your own mobile experiences?
Photo by Babak Habibi on Unsplash
