"Creating an Open RAN Ecosystem" LG Uplus Announces Equipment Verification Results

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] LG Uplus has unveiled research results on the open radio access network (Open RAN), a core technology of future networks and the 6G ecosystem.

LG Uplus announced on the 16th that it participated as the Korean representative in the 3rd Global Plugfest event hosted by the O-RAN Alliance and presented the demonstration results of 5G Open RAN equipment that meets O-RAN standards.

Open RAN refers to a standard technology that separates the hardware and software of wireless communication equipment such as base stations to ensure interoperability among manufacturers and enable interworking between equipment from different manufacturers. It mainly uses open fronthaul and general-purpose servers to reduce hardware costs and consists of virtualized distributed units (DU), central units (CU), and RAN intelligent controllers.

LG Uplus is conducting research related to Open RAN, which is expected to become a core technology for expanding future networks and the 6G ecosystem. Currently, it is focusing on verifying the completeness of Open RAN technology, which is still in its early stages. To this end, it joined the O-RAN Alliance earlier this year, which includes over 200 global companies and research institutions.

LG Uplus participated as the sole Korean telecom operator and lead organizer in the 3rd global Plugfest of the O-RAN Alliance. Plugfest is an international event where O-RAN Alliance members participate to disclose standardization and equipment interoperability test results by country.

Prior to this, LG Uplus established a testbed for 5G Open RAN technology verification at its Magok office in Seoul, collaborating with domestic manufacturer Dasan Networks’ equipment and overseas Open RAN equipment suppliers such as Altiostar, Rakuten Symphony, NEC, Keysight Technologies, and Intel.

LG Uplus succeeded in verifying cloud-based virtualized base station equipment and 5G standalone (SA) Open RAN systems. This verification was conducted through non-face-to-face communication such as online meetings and messengers.

Lee Sangheon, Head of NW Advanced Development at LG Uplus, said, "By presenting demonstration results at the global Open RAN event Plugfest as a representative of the Korean telecom industry, we hope Korea will contribute to the creation of the global Open RAN ecosystem and provide an opportunity to expand the domestic Open RAN ecosystem."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.