As generative AI permeates corporate boardrooms around the world, global telecommunications companies are looking for ways to cost-effectively deliver many of these new AI applications to the edge over 5G and upcoming 6G networks. I am.
Telcos plan to deploy more than 17 million 5G microcells and towers worldwide by 2025. Building, managing, and optimizing this new infrastructure while maintaining quality of service delivery and maximizing customer experience is the industry’s next big challenge.
Today, NTT DOCOMO announced the introduction of GPU-accelerated wireless solutions to its Japanese network. This makes it the first telco in the world to deploy a GPU-accelerated commercial 5G network.
Docomo’s move addresses the multibillion-dollar problem of driving improved performance, total cost of ownership, and energy efficiency while unlocking the flexibility, scalability, and supply chain diversity that Open RAN promises. The purpose is
The 5G Open RAN solution uses Fujitsu’s high-performance 5G virtual radio access network (vRAN) built on the NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack and NVIDIA Converged Accelerators. This combination enables carriers to create fully software- and cloud-defined networks that can dynamically allocate resources using industry-standard equipment.
“Open RAN provides the opportunity to build next-generation 5G networks with unprecedented flexibility and scalability through multi-vendor connectivity,” said Sadayuki Abe, Global Head of Open RAN Solutions at NTT Docomo. Masu. “He looks forward to continuing to work with NVIDIA on infrastructure solutions that meet these needs.”
The 5G Open RAN solution is the first 5G vRAN for carrier commercial deployments using the NVIDIA Aerial platform with a hardened carrier-grade vRAN stack. The platform integrates the NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack for 5G, an AI framework, accelerated compute infrastructure, and long-term software support and maintenance.
Cost and energy efficiency benefits of GPU acceleration
New 5G solutions that work with Fujitsu and Wind River products use the NVIDIA Aerial platform to lower costs and reduce power consumption. According to Docomo, compared to existing 5G network deployments, the solution reduces total costs by up to 30%, reduces the time required for network design by up to 50%, and reduces base station power consumption. It is said to be reduced by up to 50%.
“Delivering a 5G open RAN network that meets the stringent performance requirements of carriers is a significant achievement,” said Masaki Taniguchi, senior vice president and head of the Mobile Systems Business Unit at Fujitsu Limited. “Using our Fujitsu vCU/vDU in combination with his NVIDIA Aerial platform, network operators will be able to efficiently build high-performance 5G networks for both consumers and enterprises.”
NVIDIA’s contribution to Docomo’s deployment is part of a growing portfolio of 5G solutions that are driving the transformation of the communications industry. Built on the NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack and NVIDIA Converged Accelerators, combined with NVIDIA BlueField data processing units (DPUs) and a suite of AI frameworks, NVIDIA delivers high-performance, software-defined, cloud-native, AI-enabled 5G on demand. Provided for. His RAN on premises and carriers.
Fujitsu, NVIDIA, and Wind River have been working on the development of Open RAN 5G vRAN under OREX (5G Open RAN service brand) launched by Docomo in February 2021. OREX is being deployed in Japan based on Fujitsu’s virtualized DU (vDU) and virtualized CU (vCU), including off-the-shelf off-the-shelf servers, Wind River cloud platform, Fujitsu’s 5G vRAN software, NVIDIA Aerial vRAN stack, and NVIDIA Leverages converged accelerators. .
“Wind River is excited to collaborate with NTT Docomo, Fujitsu and NVIDIA towards our vision of increasing the efficiency of RAN deployment and operations,” said Paul Miller, Wind River Chief Technology Officer. . “Wind River Studio provides an open source, cloud-native, distributed cloud, automation, and analytics solution that enables carriers to innovate faster and globally deploy and manage 5G edge networks at scale. This solution is proven in today’s highly scaled production environments.”
OREX: Build from Japan and overseas
Docomo and OREX partners are promoting multi-vendor, open RAN compliant 5G vRAN to the global carrier community. Commercial deployment in Japan is the first step in OREX’s vision, allowing members to commercially validate their solutions and promote them to other carriers around the world.
NVIDIA is working with Docomo and other partners to help carriers around the world deploy high-performance, energy-efficient, software-defined commercial 5G vRAN.
