Node-H, a German 5G RAN software company, and Askey, a Taiwan-based small cell manufacturer, have validated an Open RAN (O-RAN) all-in-one 5G standalone small cell in Telefónica’s Technology & Automation Lab, which increases the use cases for different vertical markets.
The all-in-one 5G small cell is powered by the Qualcomm FSM100 5G RAN Platform and Node-H’s scalable radio access, security, and management software. The complete 5G base station can be connected either directly to Telefónica’s macro network or to a local private 5G core. Additionally, the modular architecture separates the centralized unit, distributed unit and remote unit functionalities following open and standard interfaces.
In January, Telefónica said it became the first to turn on O-RAN technology in Germany, choosing the technology for the 4G small cells it deployed in Munich. José Luis Esplá, Telefónica Access and Devices Director, said: “With Telefónica’s open interfaces approach we are transforming the way connectivity and services are provided, with high flexibility and simplicity while ensuring the highest performance and efficiency.“
Last November, Telefónica joined Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telecom Italia, and Vodafone to encourage European Union policymakers to facilitate the deployment of open, intelligent, virtualized and fully interoperable RAN.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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