Telstra launches first Ericsson cloud RAN 5G sites

Telstra has launched the first live sites to use Ericsson’s Cloud Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure on its commercial 5G network following successful trials of the technology in December.

With the deployment, Telstra has become the first operator in the world to utilise Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure solution (CNIS) for Cloud RAN in a live commercial 5G network.

The technology has now been implemented on the first seven Telstra 5G sites, all located on the Gold Coast in Queensland. As part of the deployment, Telstra and Ericsson have migrated Telstra’s 2600 MHz and 3600 MHz spectrum to the Cloud RAN infrastructure.

In December, Telstra and Ericsson completed the first Ericsson Cloud RAN 5G data call in the southern hemisphere on Telstra’s commercial network.

The implementation of the technology involves the virtualisation of the RAN baseband to enable both the Centralised Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) functions of Telstra’s network to be decoupled from the base station site for more efficient utilisation of computing resources.

RAN virtualisation will allow for the introduction of new network features, products and services requiring low latency and high edge computing demands, according to Telstra Executive for Network and Infrastructure Iskra Nikolova.

“This step in the validation and rollout of this technology is critical to ensure we get the most out of 5G now and in the future. It will allow us to roll out network capacity and new features faster while making our networks more intelligent, automated, flexible, reliable and secure,” she said.

“This is particularly important when it comes to making sure that areas of high demand, particularly large events and seasonal hotspots, can operate at the high standard our customers expect. Our ongoing partnership with Ericsson has once again supported Telstra’s efforts to deliver a world-leading 5G experience for the Australian public.”

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