Vodafone to fast-track Arm-based OpenRAN for mobile networks

Telecoms giant Vodafone is backing more than one horse in the OpenRAN arena, confirming a collaboration with Arm on energy efficient silicon for 5G base stations and continuing to work with Intel on OpenRAN silicon. Vodafone aims to “fast-track” development of platforms for OpenRAN using the Arm architecture in order to meet …

[Anonymous Coward]

OpenRAN, or Open Radio Access Networks...

...is an approach to building mobile infrastructure using open interface specifications between functional elements.

And 3GPP is?

[steelpillow]

Re: OpenRAN, or Open Radio Access Networks...

By 3GPP I assume you mean the 5G NR air interface defined by the 3GPP standards body.

The RAN - the radio access network - is not the air interface, it is all the back crap that connects the base station through to the PLMN - the public land mobile network.

[Anonymous Coward]

You put erroneous statements in my mouth and then claim I'm wrong.

What about 3GPP E1, F1, NG, X2, Xn interfaces?

Do these look like the air interface?

Do DU and CU belong to gNodeB (i.e. RAN) or not?

Also, I'm sorry but the RAN does not "connect to the PLMN" but to the Core.

Simply because PLMN = RAN + CORE + Misc.

[steelpillow]

Re: You put erroneous statements in my mouth and then claim I'm wrong.

Well, PLMN and Core are both four-letter words, I mean, c'm on! ;o)

But take say E1. That is an old CEPT standard and was not just confined to the RAN. So let's not go down the wrong rabbit-holes here.

The point is that OpenRAN pushes open standards into the parts other RANs don't reach. The clue is in the name.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: You put erroneous statements in my mouth and then claim I'm wrong.

WOW!! I mean just WOW!!!

You're confusing the E1 3GPP interface between the Central Unit Control Plane and the CU User Plan with the E1 of the TDM E-carrier system????

So probably the E2 of the OpenRAN is 8Mb/s only (that's the throughput of the E2 E-carrier). And there must be an E3 link somewhere in the OpenRAN as well?

And in the US, they will use T1 probably?

Say no more. No response needed.