Broadcom verified NEC’s open radio access network (RAN) and virtualized RAN (vRAN) architecture to work on its newly acquired VMware Telco Cloud platform, furthering bolstering that platform – and Broadcom’s – RAN interoperability.

The verification was unique in that it was conducted with Japanese operator SoftBank, which defined the general-purpose common infrastructure used. NEC provided its vRAN applications using open RAN architecture with a vRAN platform designed for VMware’s Telco Cloud platform.

Specifically, the NEC central unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU) RAN network functions were disaggregated using VMware’s Kubernetes platform into virtualized CUs and DUs. These were then handled conventionally by the baseband unit (BU).

The verification testing confirmed the capability for basic communication processes for the CU, DU and radio unit (RU) within an open RAN architecture; low-latency and low-jitter processing of the DU using VMware’s Proton operating system (OS); the capability of the VMware platform to construct a RAN system with automation functions; and for the platform to scale and manage a carrier-grade service.

The testing also showed this operational process worked with VMware’s container-as-a-service (CaaS) Tanzu layer and its infrastructure-as-a-service (IAAS) Cloud Foundation (VCF) layer.

The work is similar to what VMware has previously done with other RAN equipment vendors. This includes Samsung, Nokia and Ericsson. However, unlike the NEC verification, these efforts did not include a named operator.

VMware initially rolled out its overarching Telco Cloud Platform in early 2021, which itself was an expansion of its reorganized and repacked stack of technologies for network operators. It has since updated that specific platform as well as expanded its reach into other 5G markets like private 5G and mobile edge compute (multi-access edge computing (MEC)).

VMware’s certification efforts have been cited by ABI Research, which has touted the vendor as a market leader. ABI Research analyst Kangrui Ling described VMware’s multi-vendor certification program as “diverse and robust,” and helped propel the overall platform to a slight market lead over rival Red Hat.

The SoftBank and NEC verification process follows VMware gaining new integration with Dish Network and Vodafone.

Dish Network is trialing VMware’s Telco Cloud Service Assurance platform as part of that carrier’s cloud-based 5G network. The carrier is using the platform to provide network performance monitoring and reporting across its multi-vendor open RAN and vRAN environment.

Vodafone is expanding its work with VMware on the vendor’s RAN intelligent controller (RIC) as part of that operator’s work in applying network programmability and intelligence into the RAN. This collaboration is part of a proof-of-concept (PoC) targeting challenges caused by short-form video content.