Partnering to Fast Track Commercialization and Accelerate Adoption of 5G Open and Virtualized Infrastructure at Scale
Qualcomm Media Release | Nov 4, 2021
What’s New: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and NEC Corporation today announced a strategic collaboration in which they are partnering on the development of a 5G open and virtualized distributed unit (DU) powered by the Qualcomm® X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card, to drive the transition towards modern networks. This solution is to be developed under the 5G Open RAN Ecosystem (OREC) initiative, which is led by NTT DOCOMO with the objective to globally accelerate open RAN. The companies are joining forces to address the demands of next-generation networks, simplify deployments and lower the total cost of ownership by delivering high-performance, O-RAN-compliant, energy-efficient, virtualized, cloud-native 5G solutions.
Why It’s Important: Combining NEC Corporation’s experience as one of the world’s leaders in the integration of IT and network technologies with Qualcomm Technologies’ leadership in developing high performance and low power Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) 5G solutions for device and infrastructure products, the companies will partner to redefine how mobile networks are designed.
Network operators currently face the difficult challenge of deploying cost-effective 5G network infrastructure, while addressing the complexities and demands of next-generation networks that are needed to enhance user experiences. Qualcomm Technologies and NEC Corporation are addressing these issues by developing a high-performance, O-RAN compliant and power-efficient solution that will simplify and lower the total cost of ownership of 5G deployments.
“We are excited about Qualcomm Technologies and NEC Corporation partnering to develop new generation cloud-native 5G RAN technology,” said Sadayuki Abeta, General Manager, Radio Access Network Development Department, NTT DOCOMO. “The development of 5G open and virtualized DU solutions will help drive our OREC activities to make 5G RAN deployment more open and flexible with industry leaders.”
“With the growth in open and virtualized networks, the integration of Qualcomm® 5G RAN Platforms within NEC O-RAN products will provide a tremendous advantage to our customers, who demand high performance and power-efficient solutions for nearly any application,” said Katsumi Tanoue, General Manager, 2nd Wireless Access Solutions Division, NEC Corporation. “The Qualcomm® X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card aims to deliver lower power and best in class performance to meet the performance demands at the edge and capture new revenue opportunities. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies.”
“With the significant opportunity poised by open and virtualized RAN, Qualcomm Technologies is committed to driving more innovative and competitive cellular infrastructure to enable operators and industry verticals to efficiently deploy 5G network coverage and capacity where it is needed most with our comprehensive Qualcomm® 5G RAN Platforms,” said Durga Malladi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, 5G, Mobile Broadband and Infrastructure, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Joining forces with NEC is at the heart of advancing the cellular ecosystem and accelerating the innovation cycle to enable the fast track of deploying modern networks at scale.”
For more information on Qualcomm 5G RAN Platforms, please visit https://www.qualcomm.com/products/5g.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is the world’s leading wireless technology innovator and the driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of 5G. When we connected the phone to the internet, the mobile revolution was born. Today, our foundational technologies enable the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone. We bring the benefits of mobile to new industries, including automotive, the internet of things, and computing, and are leading the way to a world where everything and everyone can communicate and interact seamlessly.
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.
Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.
Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card and Qualcomm 5G RAN Platforms are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
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