
KDDI, Samsung and Fujitsu announced that the companies have turned on the world’s first commercial 5G Standalone Open Radio Access Network site powered by virtualized Radio Access Network in Kawasaki, Kanagawa on February 18, 2022, successfully completing the transmission of live 5G traffic. For the deployment of this first site, KDDI used O-RAN compliant solutions, including Samsung’s 5G virtualized CU and virtualized DU as well as Fujitsu’s radio units (MMU: Massive MIMO Units).
Virtualization and O-RAN technology replaces dedicated hardware with software elements that can run on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. This brings flexibility and agility to KDDI’s network, allowing the operator to offer enhanced mobile services to its users. This architecture will deliver reliability, while accelerating deployment of Open RAN throughout Japan, including in rural areas. Beginning with this site, in 2022, KDDI, along with Samsung and Fujitsu, will deploy this Open RAN in some parts of Japan and continue its deployment and development, embracing openness and virtualization in KDDI’s commercial network.