Ericsson readies network software to enable operators to develop 5G-type apps on 4G networks.

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

June 16, 2016

2 Min Read
Ericsson Offers Taste of 5G With 'Plug-In' Software Modules

Ericsson has developed network software modules that, it claims, will enable mobile operators to introduce 5G capabilities such as Massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output) to their current 4G networks as soon as 2017.

The vendor says its "5G plug-ins" will help operators evolve their networks and learn about 5G capabilities ahead of 2020, when standards-based commercial next-generation networks are expected to go live. The plug-ins will be available for tests later this year and become commercially available in 2017, Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) says.

"5G Plug-ins are network software –- they are a way to deploy 5G technology concepts on today's networks, improving user experience, increasing network capacity and efficiency while preparing networks for 5G use cases and deployments," Antti Keintola, portfolio manager, business unit radio at Ericsson, tells Light Reading in an email.

The plug-ins, which grab a term popularized by software add-ons for digital music production systems like Pro-Tools, simulate a number of building block concepts of 5G that, in theory, will help to improve network efficiency and customer experience:

  • Massive MIMO Plug-In: "A combination of Single-User MIMO (SU-MIMO) and beamforming supported by advanced antennas with a large number of steerable ports," notes the vendor.

    • Multi-User MIMO Plug-In: This "transmits data to multiple user devices using the same time and frequency resources and coordinates beamforming.

    • RAN Virtualization Plug-In: "Improves network efficiency and performance by enabling Virtual Network Functions (VNF) to be centralized on a common platform supporting both 4G and 5G."

    • Intelligent Connectivity Plug-In: Where 5G and 4G coverage areas overlap, this enables the network to "intelligently route data based on application requirements and network resource availability, increasing the combined data throughput of 4G and 5G resources."

    • Latency Reduction Plug-In: This "shortens access procedures and modifies the frame structure to enable instant network access and more frequent transmissions. This in turn reduces time-to-content while enabling real-time communications for key 5G applications such as smart vehicles."

      Ericsson says it's already working with more than 20 mobile operators worldwide on various 5G use cases and, in some cases, even field trials. (See T-Mobile to Test 5G With Nokia, Ericsson , TeliaSonera, Ericsson Join 5G Early Movers, Ericsson Readies 5G Radio Prototypes for NTT Docomo Trials and SoftBank & Ericsson Plot 5G Trials in Japan.)

      — Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading

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About the Author(s)

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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