Highlights:
- New NEC virtualized distributed unit (vDU) solution to incorporate the Qualcomm® X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card.
- Qualcomm® 5G RAN Platforms will provide high-performance, energy-efficiency, and low-latency for NEC products, enabling an increase in network capacity and the full realization of the transformative potential of 5G.
During MWC Barcelona 2023, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and NEC Corporation highlighted their continued commitment to push the commercialization of next-generation networks with the introduction of the latest 5G vDU from NEC. Powered by the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card, HPE ProLiant DL110 Platform, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, this new innovative infrastructure solution aims to address the ever-growing capacity challenges and low latency needs of networks of the future and satisfy the demands of consumer digital experiences.
Expanding on the companies’ previous announcement from November 2021, these solutions will enhance how 5G services are delivered by allowing networks to manage increased data loads by broadening capacity and boosting flexibility. Thanks to the robust feature set of the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card, including commercial-grade Layer 1 (L1) software, operators will be able to more rapidly rollout future 3GPP release features, lengthen platform lifespan, and reduce total cost of ownership. All critical components to help fuel the next wave of digital transformation.
“NEC is a key leader in the infrastructure industry, and we are honored to be a trusted technology provider and power their new vDU solution with the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card,” said Gerardo Giaretta, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Thanks to our promise of relentless innovation, we are well equipped to support partners like NEC with the most advanced 5G technologies to satisfy the ever-evolving needs of operators.”
“Qualcomm Technologies has long been an industry leader in modem technology for mobile terminals and mobile base stations,” said Katsumi Tanoue, general manager, vRAN business department, NEC Corporation. “In addition, the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card outperforms others in processing power and low power consumption. We are pleased to offer the vDU solution in combination with NEC's upper layer software.”
“A benefit of Open RAN is the capability to introduce technology advancements by combining strengths of multiple companies,” said Sadayuki Abeta, vice president, global head of Open RAN solutions, NTT DOCOMO. “We expect to achieve high capacity and power efficient vDU together with NEC and Qualcomm Technologies.”
“Delivering a vRAN optimized, high density, cost-effective solution is what’s required today by our joint telco customers. The HPE ProLiant DL110 platform is a purpose designed vRAN carrier grade solution,” said Phil Cutrone, senior vice president and general manager, service providers, OEM, and telco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise. “Together with NEC’s new vDU solution, we are addressing the operators TCO requirements and sustainability concerns by finally enabling a true Open RAN solution.”
“Red Hat Enterprise Linux offers a consistent, reliable foundation for service providers to accelerate 5G and RAN deployments across any network landscape,” said Honoré LaBourdette, vice president, telco, media, entertainment and edge ecosystem, Red Hat. “We are pleased to collaborate with NEC and Qualcomm Technologies to further equip service providers with high-performing, efficient 5G solutions and services based on open source innovation to address next-generation network requirements.”
Trial availability of NEC's vDU solution is expected in the third quarter of 2023 and commercial launch is expected in the fourth quarter of 2023, thus marking a key milestone in Open RAN commercialization and delivering state-of-the-art 5G technology across the globe.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. Our one technology roadmap allows us to efficiently scale the technologies that launched the mobile revolution – including advanced connectivity, high-performance, low-power compute, on-device intelligence and more – to the next generation of connected smart devices across industries. Innovations from Qualcomm and our family of Snapdragon platforms will help enable cloud-edge convergence, transform industries, accelerate the digital economy, and revolutionize how we experience the world, for the greater good.
Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business.
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com
