Ericsson and Intel announced the launch of Cloud RAN tech hub that will prioritize enhancements for Ericsson Cloud RAN, running on Intel technology, to create a roadmap for future commercial software releases.

Both companies will accelerate adoption of Cloud RAN solutions and offer insights into Cloud RAN designs that can aid technology investment decisions. Cloud RAN tech hub will be located in California, USA.

Key focus areas include energy efficiency, time-to-market, network performance, and unlocking new business opportunities.

The current focus of Ericsson-Intel Tech Hub includes activities in power management and performance planned this year as well as joint work on Cloud RAN containerized network function (CNF) applications on upcoming generations of processing platforms.

“Cloud RAN technologies and virtualization have enormous potential to impact networks of the future. Through the Tech Hub, we will accelerate Cloud RAN technology in areas like energy efficiency and performance, while reducing time to market,” Per Narvinger, Head of Product Area Networks, Ericsson, said.

“The Tech Hub will provide a venue for Ericsson and Intel to extend our collaboration and showcase how a virtualized RAN can deliver greater levels of automation, agility and sustainability,” Dan Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Network Platforms Group at Intel, said.

Ericsson introduced its Cloud RAN offering in October 2020 and established the Ericsson Open Lab, aimed at driving virtualized 5G RAN technologies with Ericsson Cloud RAN customers and ecosystem partners, in March 2021.