Samsung will ship its vRAN platform with assist throughout a number of generations of cellular networks, together with 2G, 4G, and 5G
In sum – what to know:
Expanded Open RAN function in Europe – Vodafone chosen Samsung to provide vRAN and O-RAN compliant radios for deployments throughout a number of European international locations.
Software program-driven operations – The undertaking contains Samsung’s CognitiV NOS, an AI-based operations suite to handle and optimize large-scale Open RAN techniques.
RAN sharing fashions – Radios designed for wide-band, high-power efficiency goal to facilitate shared community deployments and cut back {hardware} and power prices.
Samsung has been chosen by Vodafone to supply virtualized RAN (vRAN) and Open RAN (O-RAN) options for large-scale deployments throughout a number of European markets, the previous mentioned in a launch. The partnership marks a significant step in Vodafone’s Open RAN rollout technique, the Korean firm mentioned.
Beneath the phrases of the settlement, Samsung will ship its vRAN platform with assist throughout a number of generations of cellular networks, together with 2G, 4G, and 5G, alongside O-RAN compliant radios corresponding to Large MIMO items. The scope of the deal additionally contains system integration providers.
Samsung famous its vRAN is predicated on a software-driven design that permits operators to combine new capabilities extra flexibly. In keeping with the corporate, the method can cut back operational prices, enhance efficiency, and allow extra energy-efficient deployments.
The deal additionally covers Vodafone’s use of Samsung’s AI-based CognitiV Community Operations Suite (NOS), a set of instruments for monitoring, automating, and optimizing large-scale Open RAN techniques. The NOS platform is designed to supply better visibility throughout the complete lifecycle of the community, from set up to optimization, the Korean firm mentioned.
As well as, Samsung will provide radios and software program options supporting RAN sharing, a mannequin thought-about essential for accelerating Open RAN adoption throughout Europe. These radios are designed to deal with large bandwidth and better transmit energy to assist shared deployments, whereas doubtlessly decreasing {hardware} duplication and power use.
“Open RAN initially scaled quickly, fueled by large-scale deployments in Japan and the U.S. Nonetheless, after this sharp rise, complete Open RAN revenues declined by roughly 40% inside two years, as exercise exterior early adopters didn’t offset the slowdown within the U.S. and Japan. Whereas some moderation was anticipated, the tempo of deceleration was sharper than anticipated, partly due to weaker 5G investments total,” consultancy Dell’Oro mentioned in a current report.
Dell’Oro famous that Open RAN is starting to point out indicators of stabilization, stating that Open RAN revenues grew year-over-year in Q2 and had been practically flat year-on-year within the first half.
“Lengthy-term Open RAN development prospects stay favorable. Though near-term headwinds and enterprise case challenges persist, the broader trajectory continues to level towards better openness, virtualization, intelligence, and automation throughout the RAN,” Dell’Oro mentioned.
Dell’Oro additionally beforehand reported that the Radio Entry Community (RAN) market continued to point out indicators of restoration within the second quarter of 2025.
The Dell’Oro’s 2Q25 RAN report additionally highlighted that development in Europe and the Center East and Africa practically balanced out downturns in Latin America and Asia Pacific.
