OIF approves CEI-224G development project

OIF members have approved the CEI (Common Electrical I/O) 224G Development Project,  the next electrical data rate beyond 112 Gbps.

The expected result will be a technical white paper summarizing a consensus-based body of knowledge which will then enable several project starts for next generation CEI clauses addressing specific reaches and architectures.

OIF's recent quarterly virtual meeting also resulted in a wrap-up of the “Co-packaging of Optics with ASICs” members-only workshop and a readout of the results of the public Optical Module Management Interface Survey.

“OIF strives to challenge our member companies to achieve more in order to accelerate industry innovation and standards that maintain alignment with network operator trends and needs,” explained Nathan Tracy, TE Connectivity and OIF President. “We are continually advocating for increased interoperability and the OIF quarterly meetings provide the ideal forum for members to debate and discuss the interoperability challenges that the industry is trying to overcome. For example, getting electrical signals to travel at 224 Gbps over workable distances is a challenge we are looking forward to exploring.”

OIF held a “Co-packaging of Optics with ASICs” workshop on July 20th for OIF members. The workshop explored the various challenges of co-packaging of optics and identified opportunities for industry collaboration. Presenting companies included Applied Optoelectronics, Inc., Facebook, Inphi, Intel, Keysight Technologies, Microsoft, Ranovus, Senko Advanced Components, Inc. and TE Connectivity. Based on the success of the member workshop and increasing interest in the topic industry-wide, OIF is planning a public workshop on co-packaging of optics. Details and registration will be available soon.

OIF recently conducted a public industry survey designed to determine how the Coherent Common Management Interface Specification Implementation Agreement is viewed by the industry and the level of industry alignment and support for further standardization of optical module management. Results of the survey were presented on a public webinar on July 30 and recapped during the Q3 meeting. Click HERE to download the survey results.  Survey results are posted here: https://www.oiforum.com/wp-content/uploads/OIF_Management_Survey_results_V7.pdf

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Turkcell tests OpenRAN and vRAN with Mavenir

Turkcell announced the world’s first OpenRAN vRAN call fully containerized with O-RAN Split 7.2 architecture.

Running on Turkcell’s Telco Cloud environment, Mavenir’s OpenRAN vRAN is integrated with Turkcell Core, and is the first workload that will be going live on Turkcell’s Edge Cloud.


Mavenir said its OpenRAN vRAN solution centralizes baseband processing in cloud-native virtualized and containerized baseband units (vBBU) and exploits fronthaul over ethernet between vBBU and multiple remote radio units (RRU). The Mavenir vRAN architecture and platform supports 4G as well as both 5G NR NSA and SA. The vBBU is split into Central Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) and it features O-RAN standard interfaces.

The split between the DU and the RRU gives flexibility to the RAN system by enabling an efficient interface which can be run over Ethernet and allows concentration of the processing power either into data centers or onto edge platforms. Mavenir’s OpenRAN vRAN allows a very secure and transparent interface which is based on a single architecture that can accommodate several deployment scenarios.

With these open interfaces, as well as virtualization and web scale containerization, the solution has the flexibility to support various deployment scenarios – including Public Cloud, Private Cloud and at the RRU site. It can also support massive MIMO, mmWave, edge micro services and network slicing for 5G NR.

“Mavenir is extremely proud to have supported Turkcell, which is a very innovative and advanced operator, in achieving this first call in a truly OpenRAN containerized implementation,” said Mikael Rylander, Mavenir’s SVP/GM Radio Access Products. “The standard O-RAN 7.2 interface will enable and boost the OpenRAN ecosystem significantly by allowing many RRU vendors to be deployed and to have very effective solutions in all possible frequency bands with great deployment flexibility and with automation and remote operations.”

“We strongly believe in Turkcell that innovation is the engine that allows us to be very close to our customers and meet their demands,” Gediz Sezgin, Turkcell CTO stated. “Now with OpenRAN, we are entering a new era that offers us new ways of deploying Radio Networks and create a real distributed 5G network to fulfill the expectations that the industry has. We are pleased to pioneer this technology with Mavenir by realizing world’s first containerized implementation with a truly open architecture using a mix and match of Open FH supported RRU and CU/DU which reflects the true sense of Open RAN.”

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FCC raises $4.5 billion in first 5G mid-band spectrum auction

The FCC completed its auction of Priority Access Licenses in the 3550-3650 MHz band. Gross proceeds reached $4,585,663,345, and bidders won 20,625 of 22,631, or more than 91.1%, of available licenses.

“This is a banner day for American leadership in 5G and for American consumers.  The 3.5 GHz auction has concluded, and I can say unequivocally:  It was a resounding success,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.  “The strong demand for licenses was the direct result of this Commission’s reforms to the rules for the 3.5 GHz band—reforms that would not have been possible without the leadership and hard work of my colleague, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly.  This auction has been a key part of our 5G FAST Plan and our ongoing push to make more mid-band spectrum available for 5G.  I look forward to this important spectrum being put to use quickly to provide service to the American people.  And I look forward to the Commission making available 280 more megahertz of mid-band spectrum for 5G in the C-band auction beginning on December 8.”

The FCC will release a public notice in a few days providing detailed auction results, including the names of Auction 105 winning bidders, and announcing deadlines for payments and the filing of long-form applications, as well as other post-auction procedures needed for the prompt issuance of licenses. 

https://www.fcc.gov/auction/105

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Telia Carrier announces expansion and partnerships in Mexico

QuattroCom, a Mexican carrier-neutral service provider, has formed a partnership with Telia Carrier to provide dedicated Internet access to its enterprise businesses in the city of Querétaro, in central Mexico. The partnership gives QuattroCom access to Telia Carrier's AS1299 global network, supporting enterprise business demands for the increasing need for scalable, high-performance connectivity in the city's growing business market.

“Partnering with QuattroCom allows us to reach the burgeoning businesses in the city Querétaro,” said Luis Velasquez, Mexico business manager, Telia Carrier. “Aside from being recognized as being one of the best places to do business in the Americas, Querétaro is also considered to be Mexico's 'Silicon Valley.' This partnership allows us to strengthen our position to deliver connectivity and high-quality local access to these thriving businesses and enables the local infrastructure to grow.”

Telia Carrier also announced an expansion of its partnership with Neutral Networks in Mexico, adding a new point of presence (PoP) at the Pabellon M development in the city of Monterrey. The partnership will enhance Telia Carrier’s fiber backbone and connectivity in the city of Monterrey, with the possibility to connect with northern Mexico’s top markets and strategic business sectors including manufacturing, commerce and financial services.

“Our presence in Monterrey is part of Telia Carrier’s mission to extend our global network partnering with regional access providers to bring unique diversity and value to the market. Working with Neutral Networks, a division of Even Group which is one of the most active infrastructure builders in the Mexican telecoms landscape, we strengthen our position to deliver connectivity and high-quality local access for growing regional industries.” said Luis Velasquez, Mexico business manager, Telia Carrier.

http://www.Teliacarrier.com

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Edgecore builds a cloud controller for wired and wireless devices

Taiwan-based Edgecore Networks introduced ecCLOUD, a cloud controller for unified visibility and control over Edgecore wired and wireless devices. Cloud controllers are lower cost and simpler than on-site management system installations.

TT Hsu, Vice President of Edgecore Networks said, “Edgecore’s ecCLOUD is a feature-rich, reliable, and scalable network management solution suited for networks of any size. With ecCLOUD, deployment, management, and monitoring of single-site or multi-site networks can be greatly simplified. ecCLOUD also supports management of a comprehensive product portfolio for service providers and organizations to enjoy the benefit of being able to choose from a wide array of Edgecore products for their deployments.”

ecCLOUD features

• Multi-level Management: ecCLOUD is composed of three levels – Cloud, Site, and Device. This multi-level architecture facilitates tiered administrative privileges as well as bulk device management from the site level. With ecCLOUD, multi-site networks can be easily managed, and each site can have its own set of configuration settings that can be applied to devices registered under the site.
• Quick Device Onboarding: Placing a device online is easy – simply register the device on ecCLOUD and connect the registered device to the Internet for auto-provisioning.
• Auto-generated Network Topology Diagrams: Network topology diagrams are automatically generated at the site-level to help network administrators better assess and manage deployment architectures.
• Network Security & Access Control: ecCLOUD ensures overall network security through encryption of device-to-cloud communication. Enhanced switch port security and AAA services for wireless users are also available.
• Customizable Captive Portal: Network administrators can quickly create unique Wi-Fi login pages per SSID for brand promotion, marketing activities, or advertisements. The built-in captive portal editor provides drag-and-drop modules for adding text, links, and multimedia, allowing anyone to easily craft their own login pages even without extensive knowledge in web development.

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Juniper and Netcracker team on enterprise service automation

Juniper Networks and Netcracker Technology announced a joint solution that facilitates the end-to-end management of LAN/WLAN/WAN networks with automated service provisioning and workflows, AI-driven insight and full lifecycle management from client to cloud.

The company said their joint Enterprise Service Automation solution will help service providers to unify LAN and WAN environments, providing additional value to their enterprise customers.

The solution combines Juniper's Mist AI with Netcracker's Service Orchestration and 2020 Digital BSS/OSS portfolio.

“For many enterprises, meeting the demands of an increasingly complex and dynamic network environment is an uphill battle. Through this expansion of our long-standing relationship with Netcracker, we can combine our industry-leading technology to offer a strategic value proposition to service providers and deliver end-to-end SLAs with fully managed enterprise networks. This approach can help increase revenues and profitability with existing customers as well as expand an SP’s managed services into new B2B vertical markets, leveraging new opportunities in the 5G era," states Raj Yavatkar, CTO, Juniper Networks.

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Keysight powers Jabil’s 5G test bed

Jabil, which provides design, manufacturing, supply chain and product management services, has selected Keysight’s 5G device test solutions to address the demand for 5G product validation in design and manufacturing.

Jabil serves a broad range of industries, many of which are taking full advantage of a digital transformation towards realizing the future of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). Keysight’s software-centric test, measurement, security and optimization solutions support this transformation across multiple technology domains, including 5G new radio (NR), high-speed digital and virtualized radio access networks (vRAN).

“As a solution partner to top brands and leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), we’re pleased that Jabil selected Keysight’s UXM 5G wireless test platform to help advance research activities,” said Cao Peng, senior director of Keysight’s communications solutions group. “Keysight is pleased to contribute to the wireless standards development organizations (SDOs) and industry consortia, as it enables us to deliver a comprehensive suite of certified test cases for conformance validation of 5G new radio devices.”

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