Vodafone Partners with Samsung to Expand Open RAN in Europe

Vodafone has announced its strategic partnership with Samsung to enhance its open radio access network (RAN) deployments across Europe, starting with Germany. This decision follows Vodafone’s merger with Three in May, which has prompted the company to reconsider its vendor partnerships. The collaboration with Samsung marks a significant shift as Vodafone aims to integrate more diverse technology solutions into its network infrastructure.

Strategic Shift in Network Infrastructure

The initiative, referred to as the “golden cluster,” was initially created to test Samsung’s RAN technology in the UK. Despite the initial trials, Vodafone has chosen to pivot towards a combination of Ericsson and Nokia for its broader UK operations. Nevertheless, Paco Pignatelli, who oversees open RAN activities for Vodafone Group, emphasized that Samsung’s contributions were far from futile. He stated that the experience gained from the UK trials has equipped Vodafone with the confidence to deploy Samsung’s technology in various European markets, commencing with Germany.

Pignatelli remarked, “Samsung certainly helped us to have a solution that can work in any environment.” He also noted the technological challenges faced during the provision of 5G infrastructure for high-profile events, such as the Super Bowl in the United States, as a model for the demands Vodafone anticipates in high-traffic scenarios.

Expanding Open RAN Capabilities

Vodafone’s expansion is set to involve the replacement of both Ericsson and Huawei equipment in some areas, with plans to implement Samsung’s technology in approximately 6,000 mobile sites across Germany. This figure represents around 23% of Vodafone’s existing site footprint in the country, according to sources familiar with the project. While the specifics of the rollout are still under wraps, the shift towards open RAN aims to replace proprietary interfaces with industry-standard alternatives, allowing greater flexibility in combining products from multiple suppliers.

Samsung is expected to play a leading role in providing both the baseband software and the majority of radios for Vodafone’s open RAN sites. However, Pignatelli indicated that alternative suppliers, such as Fujitsu, will also contribute, albeit in unspecified proportions. He elaborated, “We haven’t selected all the suppliers for radios yet… we know the radio changes a lot.”

The deployment will be characterized by a fully virtualized infrastructure, utilizing standard processors and servers instead of traditional custom hardware. Key suppliers for this infrastructure include Intel, Dell, and Wind River. This virtualized approach is intended to enhance automation and operational control, with Pignatelli praising the latest Intel CPUs, which promise improved efficiency and reduced costs.

As Vodafone embarks on this ambitious project, the company remains mindful of the competitive landscape. Concerns persist regarding reliance on a single supplier, particularly Intel, as telcos seek to diversify their technology sources. Pignatelli acknowledged, “You don’t want to have only one. It’s good to have options.”

The open RAN initiative, while faced with skepticism from some quarters, is seen by Pignatelli as a pathway to greater innovation and operational insight. He asserted, “Open RAN is not just about open interfaces… it’s also about doing innovation and making things happen.” This belief underscores Vodafone’s commitment to advancing its network capabilities and responding dynamically to the evolving telecommunications landscape.

In summary, Vodafone’s partnership with Samsung represents a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to modernize its network infrastructure across Europe. With an initial focus on Germany and plans to extend to other markets, this collaboration is poised to reshape the future of Vodafone’s operations and enhance its competitive edge in the telecommunications sector.