• Samsung and Orange France complete 4G and 5G calls via a virtualized RAN in southwestern France.
  • The collaboration enhances flexibility and innovation in Orange’s network, with plans to expand throughout France by the end of 2025.

What happened: First 4G/5G calls on virtualised RAN

Samsung and Orange France have made a key step in mobile network development by completing the first 4G and 5G calls on a virtualised RAN (vRAN) network. This incident occurred in a city in southwestern France, highlighting the effectiveness of the new technology. Both companies collaborated to thoroughly test the network before launching it in the field. The field trials followed earlier tests at Orange’s labs in Lyon, which helped ensure everything was working as expected.

Samsung provided advanced vRAN solutions, including radios for different frequency bands and 3.5GHz Massive MIMO radios. These solutions are part of the company’s strategy to help operators like Orange improve network performance and save energy. The network also includes smart features and automation, which make it easier to manage and more efficient. The field tests confirmed that the network performed well, offering strong potential for good service in live environments.

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Why it’s important

This success is a big step in Orange France’s move to a more open, software-based network system. The company is working on making its network more flexible and able to adapt to future needs. By using Samsung’s technology, Orange France aims to modernise its infrastructure and improve the overall quality of its service. This is a part of the company’s plan to work with more suppliers and create a stronger network ecosystem.

The project is not only a win for the two companies but also shows the growing importance of collaboration in the tech industry. Partners such as Dell Technologies, Intel, and Wind River have all played a role in the pilot by providing essential components like servers, processors, and cloud platforms. Samsung’s involvement in the project helps to shape the future of network technology in Europe, with plans to expand the technology to more sites in France by the end of 2025.