Samsung and AMD collaborate to advance vRAN

Not long after expanding its collaboration with Intel, Samsung Electronics is embarking on a new relationship with AMD to advance 5G virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) technology.

Samsung and AMD have completed several rounds of tests at Samsung’s lab to verify high-capacity and telco-grade performance using FDD and TDD Massive MIMO bands, while reducing power consumption. In the joint demo, Samsung used its vRAN software integrated with the new AMD EPYC 8004 processors, focused on telco and intelligent edge.

During the technical verification, the AMD EPYC 8004 processors and Samsung’s vRAN solutions delivered “optimized cell capacity per server as well as high power efficiency,” according to a press release.

The technical collaboration demonstrates Samsung’s commitment to delivering network flexibility and high performance for service providers by building a larger vRAN and open RAN ecosystem, said Henrik Jansson, VP and head of SI Business in the Networks group at Samsung, in a statement.

Samsung pledged to continue working with AMD to facilitate the acceleration of vRAN and open RAN for 5G.

Samsung has developed quite the reputation in the vRAN space, securing customer wins with the likes of Verizon and Dish in the U.S., as well as with Vodafone in the U.K./Europe and KDDI in Japan. Earlier this year, Samsung introduced vRAN 3.0., which it planned to roll out in North America in 2023.

A spokesperson said Samsung continues to collaborate with Intel and Marvell, which are part of its open vRAN ecosystem.

In August, Samsung announced an expanded collaboration with Intel to advance 5G vRAN innovation and last year, Samsung announced that Vodafone and Samsung would collaborate with Marvell to accelerate open RAN performance and adoption.