Rémy Pascal - Principal and Research Manager
RAN: Major themes at MWC will include virtualized, open, greener, and smarter
More powerful and more efficient 5G: the initial phase of 5G deployment is well underway in most developed markets, and the industry is progressing into the second phase. Vendors are introducing more powerful and more efficient baseband and radio solutions, enhancements in MIMO, and beamforming. They will also showcase features and use cases that will be part of the 5G-Advanced specifications such as nonpublic networks, public safety, and extended reality (XR).
vRAN is closing the gap: RAN vendors, silicon merchants, and IT companies will come together to demonstrate how vRAN is closing (although it has not closed yet) the performance gap with purpose-built RAN. Tier 1 service providers are expected to announce new milestones in vRAN verification and, in some cases, deployment in commercial networks.
Open RAN beyond the fronthaul interface: the open RAN discussion extends beyond the open fronthaul interface, and more attention will be paid to other interfaces and other aspects of open RAN, including the RAN intelligent controller (RIC) and apps. More service providers are expected to announce or confirm their support for open RAN either by committing to deployments in their live networks in the next 12 to 24 months or by announcing that they have selected non-incumbent/challenger vendors.
Greener by any means: the power efficiency of all network equipment, including RAN equipment, is expected to be one of the key themes of MWC 2022 and a key selling point for new solutions. Innovation and efficiency come from silicon, next generation materials silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), product design, software features, and machine learning.
Smarter and more automated RAN thanks to AI: machine learning and AI will be applied to all kinds of areas and problems in the RAN, including power efficiency (as mentioned above), radio performance optimization, anomaly detection, and more. Everything will be smart and automated, at least on paper.
6G: finally, 6G will be present at MWC, but mostly in the form of slide decks presenting stakeholders’ vision and results from some early lab tests of sub-THz/THz spectrum.
Source: Omdia
Like other vendors, Nokia will introduce new solutions and announce deals and partnerships, but the vendor will also highlight its longer-term technology vision for the next 10 years and the journey to 5G Advanced and then 6G. Creating value for customers, building networks for an unpredictable world, and sustainability will be some of Nokia’s high-level themes.
Samsung positions itself at the forefront of vRAN by announcing further validation of the technology and commercial deployments with Tier 1 operators, including one new major logo. MWC activities will reflect the vendor’s focus on technologically advanced markets such as the US, Japan, South Korea, and the UK.
Expect upgrades and improvements in the main portfolio with a higher capacity and more efficient base band unit (BBU) and ultra broadband radio (UBR)products. ZTE also provides an update on the promising reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) technology demonstrated back in June 2021.
You can meet with Omdia's expert team at the following events:
Big 5G Event (May 17–18, Austin, TX)
CommunicAsia (June 1–3, Singapore)
5G World (October 18–20, Amsterdam)
