After several years during which high speed coherent network deployments have been shifting from 100G/200G to 400G links using the C-band we are now seeing a significant move towards higher speeds and more use of multiband solutions. Multiple communications service providers (CSPs) in leading markets have successfully upgraded core network links using first-generation 800G coherent […]

As confidence in the readiness of the ecosystem develops, the number of service providers completing their first open RAN / virtualized RAN (vRAN) installations is growing quickly. vRAN allows service providers to disaggregate the software and hardware in their wireless infrastructure and benefit from the use of virtualized network functions and generic server hardware. By […]

The disaggregation of software and hardware via the deployment of a virtualized RAN (vRAN) can deliver significant benefits to both service providers and users. 5G has been designed to support vRAN, and the open RAN specifications are based on vRAN architectures. The use of vRAN and open interfaces enables a sustainable solution based on common […]

A key benefit of using general-purpose processors to implement open RAN/vRAN is that the same platforms can be used to support AI inference and other applications at the far edge of the network, such as cell site routers (CSRs) and content delivery and hosting. These edge platforms can be used to host virtualized applications closer […]

A staged upgrade to 800G made possible by developments for 400G enables service providers to quickly deliver higher bandwidths and network capacity in data centers. Many service providers successfully migrated data centers to 400G by taking advantage of double-density QSFP-DD optical modules that are backward-compatible with 100G QSFP and by using optical breakouts to support […]

Open RAN is expected to dramatically change the market for RAN systems by opening up competition to a wider ecosystem of vendors, including those that have only part of the solution. This opening up of the RAN is also bringing significant challenges for mobile operators that now need to work with not just one or […]

The combination of OTN and PON can bring optical network performance to the edge of the network and into the customer premises, delivering the highly reliable, low-latency services that are expected by enterprises and individuals. These two optical networking technologies work well together, with OTN providing guaranteed bandwidth and latency over optical transmission networks and […]

It is clear from a recent Heavy Reading survey that wireless network operators are expecting Open RAN to deliver wireless performance and achieve significant reductions in both capex and opex costs. This will not be achieved without hardware acceleration for key network functions. Hardware acceleration is particularly important for Layer 1 processing, significantly reducing power […]

The shift to virtualized RAN and open RAN is creating new opportunities for carriers to shift much of their RAN hardware and software to server-based platforms and solutions based on open source software. The O-RAN Alliance and other industry groups have both developed and adopted open source solutions for significant parts of the open RAN […]

The combination of 5G and open RAN presents a significant opportunity for carriers and enterprises to upgrade and enhance their wireless networks without being tied to legacy equipment and existing suppliers. The use of server-based white box hardware and virtualized software functions with standardized interfaces and functionality opens the market to a much wider ecosystem […]