Telecom operators and Skoltech conducted laboratory testing of a new 5G Open RAN solution. The first stage of laboratory testing was successfully completed. Testing was carried out within the framework of the Open Network Technologies Association.
The 5G base station was controlled by software developed at Skoltech supporting open architecture (OpenRAN). During testing, the following actions were taken: smartphones from different manufacturers (Huawei, OnePlus, Xiaomi) were connected to the network, voice and video calls were made, integration with the network core and base station of a third-party vendor was performed. The download speed was over 1 Gbps.
Head of the NTI Competence Center for Wireless Communications and the Internet of Things at Skoltech
“Testing shows that our radio access network software will soon be ready for use in the operator's real network. Thus, the industry finally has a domestic alternative to foreign solutions for the fifth generation. With software built on OpenRAN standards, a fully functional 5G base station can be quickly assembled and launched. By purchasing powerful servers and a transceiver module, the operator will receive a full-fledged analogue of the products of foreign vendors. Even if it is not possible to purchase the most productive components, the base station will still perform its functions, albeit not with maximum efficiency. It is also very important that with this development we have laid a solid foundation for creating domestic solutions for LTE and 5G networks – modern base stations with a high degree of localization.”
Testing was carried out in June 2022 at the Federal Center for Research and Development of Network Solutions of the MegaFon operator in St. Petersburg. The configuration features were shown, as well as the launch of the software and its compliance with the concept of deploying 5G OpenRAN open radio access networks. The 5G station itself was implemented on a hardware platform consisting of conventional servers based on Intel processors. The transceiver unit (O-RU) in the station is provided by Foxconn for the frequency band 4.8 - 4.99 GHz. This frequency range is considered as one of the options for deploying fifth generation networks in the Russian Federation.
Andrey UshatskyPresident of the Open Network Technologies Association
“Domestic software for the radio access network from Skoltech was tested at the Federal Center for Research and Development of Network Solutions of PJSC Megafon in St. Petersburg, while several telecom operators that are members of the Association actively participated in the tests. Such a format of joint laboratory testing became possible after the development of the relevant regulatory framework of the Association and an agreed methodology. The joint testing procedures developed by the Association have proven their effectiveness, as they allow avoiding duplication, speeding up the testing of domestic telecommunications equipment and simultaneously obtaining the opinion of all interested participants.”
The protocol with the results of the first stage of laboratory testing has already been agreed and signed by all participants in the process. By the end of this year, the next stage of joint testing of the Skoltech solution should pass.
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