SK Telecom and Nokia have successfully installed an OpenRAN virtualized base station in a commercial network, accelerating the advancement of 5G and the development of 6G.

SK Telecom announced on the 10th that it has installed a cloud-based Open RAN virtualized base station with Nokia on its commercial network and confirmed stable 5G service speed and coverage performance through field tests.

Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN) is a technology that separates the hardware and software of mobile communication equipment such as base stations and standardizes the interface between the equipment to enable equipment from different manufacturers to work together.

SKT and Nokia have been jointly conducting research on OpenRAN base stations, including developing a cloud-based virtualized base station linked with 5G 64 TRx equipment early last year. This was the first time this was installed on a commercial network in Korea, demonstrating 5G performance. The two companies added that they plan to continue research to improve 5G performance with open LAN base stations in the future.

Additionally, the two companies have successfully developed and verified a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) capable of automatic traffic optimization.

The company announced that it has confirmed an improvement in the quality of 5G services by developing a technology to distribute traffic between base stations and a technology to optimize packet delay time depending on the type of service and applying it to an intelligent base station control device.

Intelligent base station control systems collect real-time data on the number of concurrent users and traffic volume for each base station, distributing traffic from heavily loaded base stations to neighboring base stations. For example, they can efficiently manage traffic in spaces with high traffic volumes, such as large stadiums and concert halls, providing stable service and improving the quality of experience.

In an open LAN environment, various software can be utilized on base stations implemented with general-purpose hardware. By optimizing and modularizing the software installed in the base station, various functions can be selectively applied or executed, enabling efficient equipment operation.

Additionally, OpenLAN technology allows networks to be built without being tied to a specific manufacturer, and allows for customized software selection or application of cloud-based AI services to the network to meet customer needs.

Meanwhile, SKT is continuing research and activities to lead the ecosystem of Open RAN, which will be a core technology for the evolution of 5G services and the foundation of networks in the 6G era.

In addition to this demonstration, the company participated as a host company in last year's PlugFest event hosted by the O-RAN Alliance, where it presented various demonstration results on base station equipment compliant with O-RAN standards. The company is also expanding its role as co-chair of the "6G Requirements and Services" section of the O-RAN Alliance's Next Generation Research Group (nGRG). The company is also collaborating with Japan's Docomo, signing an MoU with the group last November.

SKT plans to establish a foundation for small and medium-sized enterprises with technological capabilities to participate in the network equipment market by ensuring smooth interoperability between equipment from major manufacturers through open LAN in the future.

Ryu Tak-gi, head of SKT’s infrastructure technology division, said, “Open LAN is important for evolving into an intelligent network in the AI era, and it is also a core technology necessary for the 5G advancement process and 6G services.” He added, “We plan to continue our efforts to lead open ecosystem-related technologies with global partners and create opportunities for capable domestic small and medium-sized equipment companies to grow.”