Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Nokia have signed an agreement to offer Cloud RAN solution to Communication Service Providers (CSPs) and enterprises.

The partnership will allow HPE telco servers to be available to Nokia Mobile Networks customers when Cloud RAN is being deployed in the CSP network. The partnership will focus on the integration, interoperability testing, and validation of a Nokia product solution, combining Nokia 5G Cloud RAN software, the Nokia In-Line Layer 1 accelerator card, the Nokia Cloud RAN SmartNIC, and the HPE ProLiant DL110 platform.

The Cloud RAN technology will co-exist with purpose-built RAN technology in the network. The In-Line Layer 1 hardware acceleration enables feature and performance consistency with purpose-built RAN, higher capacity and connectivity, lower comparable TCO and ease of integration. It provides an energy-efficient solution with an optimal capacity/power ratio for the demanding L1 processing.

HPE and Nokia have achieved a Layer 3 data call running Nokia 5G Cloud RAN software with the Nokia Layer 1 acceleration, all on the HPE ProLiant DL110 platform. They plan to integrate Nokia’s Cloud RAN SmartNIC Layer 1 acceleration card with HPE’s telco infrastructure portfolio to provide better experience for service providers.

The HPE ProLiant DL110 Telco server will support up to three of the Nokia accelerator cards all in a short depth 1U platform. The planned thermal performance testing and NEBS Level 3 certification will ensure the solution is carrier-grade and meets the needs of CSP customers.

“By combining our strengths, we are able to offer a comprehensive and robust Cloud RAN solution to CSPs that drives efficiency, innovation, openness, and scale,” said Phil Cutrone, SVP and GM, Service Providers, OEM, and Telco at HPE.