Here’s the translation to American English:
A Key Step in the Evolution of Mobile Networks
Telefónica has achieved a milestone in the implementation of cloud-based mobile network technologies by successfully completing the first 5G SA call in Europe through a hybrid architecture that combines on-premise infrastructure with public cloud. This advancement has been made possible thanks to collaboration with Nokia and Amazon Web Services (AWS), utilizing Nokia’s Cloud RAN solution on AWS infrastructure.
With this project, Telefónica is exploring the potential of the cloud to transform radio access networks (RAN), enhancing the flexibility, efficiency, and scalability of its mobile infrastructures.
Cloud RAN and Its Impact on the Evolution of 5G Networks
The deployment of mobile networks through Cloud RAN (Radio Access Network in the cloud) represents a key transformation in the telecommunications industry. This model allows critical network functions to be virtualized and managed from the cloud instead of relying solely on specialized hardware located in physical sites.
Telefónica has conducted the assessment of Nokia’s Cloud RAN deployment on AWS, implementing it in:
- Telefónica’s headquarters in Madrid (on-premise infrastructure).
- AWS Region in Spain (Aragón) (public cloud infrastructure).
This combination allows extending AWS cloud services to RAN sites, optimizing network performance and management.
Advantages of the Hybrid Architecture in the 5G Network
The adoption of Cloud RAN on AWS offers multiple operational and strategic benefits, including:
✅ Increased flexibility and scalability: The ability to deploy network functions in the cloud allows for more agile management that adapts to data traffic needs.
✅ Reduction in operational costs: Unified automation and monitoring through AWS and Nokia optimize network setup and maintenance.
✅ Low latency and high bandwidth: Enables real-time workload management, ensuring optimal performance in demanding environments such as radio access networks.
✅ Integration with advanced technologies: The use of tools like Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) facilitates orchestration and scalability of cloud resources.
✅ Adaptable hybrid infrastructure: Telefónica can place different workloads on on-premise or public cloud infrastructure, depending on latency and capacity needs of the network.
Testing with AWS and Nokia Technology
To assess the feasibility of this hybrid architecture, Telefónica has executed different Cloud RAN functions on AWS infrastructure, highlighting:
- Distributed Unit (DU) of Nokia’s 5G Cloud RAN solution, deployed on an Amazon EC2 instance with Graviton technology at Telefónica’s headquarters in Madrid.
- Centralized Unit (CU) of Cloud RAN, executed in the AWS Spain Region in Aragón, ensuring connectivity between different locations hundreds of kilometers apart.
The implementation of AWS Outposts with Graviton 3 CPUs is being evaluated for integration at RAN sites, which would further optimize performance and management of the infrastructure.
Comments from Project Leaders
📢 José Luis Esplá, Director of Access and Devices at Telefónica:
“The RAN is the last frontier for cloudification and the most critical workload of our mobile networks. Exploring the AWS cloud allows us to evolve towards more flexible and programmable networks, simplifying our network assets.”
📢 Amir Rao, Director of Telco 5G at AWS:
“We are demonstrating how AWS cloud infrastructure can support the demanding requirements of 5G RAN, ensuring a faster and more efficient transformation of mobile networks.”
📢 Aji Ed, Director of Cloud RAN at Nokia:
“This project with Telefónica and AWS reinforces our anyRAN approach, offering flexibility and scalability in the transition of mobile networks to the cloud.”
Toward a More Agile and Efficient 5G Network
Telefónica, AWS, and Nokia will continue collaborating in the evolution of a more centralized, flexible, and software-based 5G network, aiming to provide a better user experience and maximize operational efficiency.
The advancement of Cloud RAN in the public cloud is a key step to redefining the telecommunications infrastructure of the future, allowing Telefónica to adapt to new market demands and establish itself as a leader in technological innovation.