Ericsson, Google Cloud unveil new cloud RAN solution

Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) is a portfolio of managed solutions that bring Google Cloud’s infrastructure and services to the edge and data centers. The teams say they have successfully implemented Ericsson vDU and vCU on GDC Edge, with live operations in Ericsson Open Lab in Ottawa, Canada.

Ericsson and Google Cloud claim that the collaboration will advance cloud-native automation for network workloads. The companies are enhancing the solution through the Linux Foundation’s open-source project Nephio, which focuses on deploying and managing highly distributed, interconnected workloads like 5G network functions.

Speaking about the partnership, Mårten Lerner, the head of product line cloud RAN at Ericsson, says that the collaboration deepens and expands their valuable partnership with Google Cloud.

He adds, “Ericsson remains committed to ensuring the adaptability of its Cloud RAN applications on diverse cloud infrastructures, offering operators enhanced flexibility and choice in deploying Cloud RAN as well as supporting the evolving hybrid cloud architectures together with Google Cloud.”

Deploying Ericsson Cloud RAN on GDC Edge enables a fully automated and large-scale distributed cloud for a reliable, high-performance, and secure radio access network. This architecture allows for a hybrid cloud solution, addressing sovereignty and privacy requirements, company executives say.

Running Ericsson Cloud RAN on GDC Edge allows CSPs to leverage Google Cloud Vertex AI, BigQuery and other cloud services to enhance the usability of large data sets from Cloud RAN applications. This creates opportunities for CSPs to manage and optimize their RAN infrastructure effectively.

Ericsson Cloud RAN offers CSPs more options for building networks with open standards and interfaces. It is infrastructure agnostic, allowing deployment on any chosen infrastructure. Ericsson collaborates with ecosystem partners to adapt its Cloud RAN applications for different configurations.

According to Gabriele Di Piazza, the senior director of telecom products at Google Cloud, Google is pleased to facilitate the operation of Ericsson Cloud RAN on its Distributed Cloud Edge infrastructure.

“We’re delighted to recognize Ericsson as a distinguished Google Cloud Partner and look forward to a continued strong partnership in support of our mutual customers,” shares Di Piazza.

In July 2021, Google Cloud and Ericsson also expanded their partnership with a pilot program aimed at carmakers and manufacturers, in collaboration with Telecom Italia.

According to the companies, the project aimed to automate Telecom Italia’s 5G core network and cloud-based applications, bringing connectivity closer to companies’ physical locations.

Additionally, the two companies were developing new solutions at Ericsson’s Silicon Valley Lab, including the integration of Ericsson 5G with Anthos for telco edge and on-premise applications.

Article Topics

data centers  |  edge  |  Ericsson  |  Google Cloud  |  RAN