The “precommercial network” is described as a critical step in Vodafone Spain’s 5G deployment.
Vodafone Spain selected Ericsson as its technology partner to deploy a trial 5G Core Standalone (SA) network in Spain.The vendor will support the cloud-native 5G Core for standalone 5G network applications included in this launch.
Ericsson says its dual-mode 5G Core will allow Vodafone to develop and test new use cases leveraging the characteristics of 5G standalone technology and enabling the operator’s customers to experience 5G’s potential.
The dual-mode 5G Core solution includes products from Ericsson’s Cloud Packet Core and Cloud Unified Data Management and Policy portfolios.
It provides a common multi-access and cloud-native platform that supports 5G and previous generations of mobile tech to optimise the footprint and total cost of ownership, apparently.
Integrate, interoperate
The solution can integrate and interoperate with Vodafone’s existing network, and interworks with Vodafone’s evolved packet core (EPC), Vodafone CDR Repository and Ericsson User Data Consolidation solution.
Julia Velasco, Network Director, Vodafone Spain, says, “This pilot is a critical step towards delivering the full potential of 5G service, as well as being crucial in enabling new and innovative use cases.
“Thanks to our long-standing and close partnership with Ericsson and the 5G Core SA solution, we can support applications requiring the fastest connectivity, highest data rates and lowest latency demand.”
Separately…
The Taiwanese operator Far EasTone announced that it will set up the country’s first “double-mode full 5G core network laboratory” with Ericsson.
The idea is to promote 5G by offering an of independent 5G network testing platform for domestic and foreign network equipment makers, to carry out end-to-end integration testing of applications.