Breakthrough 5G trial: Nokia and Bharti Airtel set new standards in Cloud RAN

Nokia and Bharti Airtel (Airtel) have announced the successful completion of their first 5G non-standalone (NSA) Cloud Radio Access Network (RAN) trial in India. This landmark project aligns with Airtel’s strategy to enhance customer experiences through advanced network performance and is poised to bring substantial improvements in service innovation, network automation, flexibility, and resource scalability.

The trial was conducted in an over-the-air environment using 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G and 2100 MHz spectrum for 4G. It achieved a notable throughput of over 1.2 Gbps with commercial user devices operating over Airtel’s existing network. Nokia’s RAN Software was employed for the virtualized Distributed Unit (vDU) and virtualized Centralized Unit (vCU), which were run on x86 hardware equipped with a Container as a Service (CaaS) layer.

Additionally, Nokia’s Layer 1 (L1) acceleration technology was used to enhance power efficiency and support the company’s anyRAN solution. This solution enables a unified approach to radio access networks by integrating both Cloud RAN and purpose-built RAN components, providing consistent functionality and performance across hybrid networks.

The trial represents a significant advancement in Airtel’s cloudification strategy, aiming to leverage cloud networking benefits such as scalability and agility. By integrating these technologies, Airtel is poised to enhance its network capabilities, driving forward its ambition to deliver superior customer experiences through innovative 5G solutions.

Nokia’s anyRAN platform plays a crucial role in this evolution, offering a flexible and open approach for building future-ready networks. It allows operators to choose from a range of cloud infrastructure software, hardware, and technology suppliers, enabling a hybrid RAN environment where Cloud RAN and purpose-built RAN deployments can coexist efficiently.

Randeep Sekhon, Chief Technology Officer at Bharti Airtel, commented on the trial’s success, highlighting it as a pivotal moment in integrating cutting-edge technologies into Airtel’s network. He emphasized that the collaboration with Nokia has facilitated the development of innovative solutions, enhancing Airtel’s 5G capabilities and improving customer experiences.

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, praised the trial as a testament to Nokia’s commitment to supporting its partners in creating scalable and agile networks. Uitto noted that Nokia’s Cloud RAN approach offers customers flexibility in evolving their networks, driving efficiency, innovation, and openness in RAN evolution.

The successful completion of this Cloud RAN trial marks a significant step forward in the realm of 5G network development. For Bharti Airtel, it represents a major advancement in their cloudification strategy, aligning with their goals of improving network performance and customer satisfaction. Nokia’s anyRAN solution provides a versatile framework for future network expansions, allowing for seamless integration of Cloud RAN with existing network infrastructure. This trial underscores the growing importance of flexible and scalable network solutions in the evolving telecommunications landscape.