Red Hat and KDDI are collaborating with Samsung to enhance Open RAN deployments utilizing Red Hat OpenShift. This partnership aims to minimize deployment and provisioning time while enabling continuous software upgrades. One of the main goals is to streamline Day 0 and Day 2 operations, facilitating quicker Open RAN software installations and upgrades to reduce service downtime.

KDDI is employing Red Hat OpenShift's cloud-native capabilities to improve Open RAN functionality that spans the entire network and supports multiple functions and vendors. The collaboration with Samsung focuses on delivering flexibility and stability by incorporating Samsung's software-based network solutions, including virtualized RAN (vRAN).

The initiative aims to minimize downtime and accelerate software installation and upgrade processes through tools like image-based installation (IBI) and image-based upgrade (IBU). Additionally, Red Hat OpenShift automates deployment tasks with its Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes.

KDDI expressed satisfaction in extending their collaboration with Red Hat, aiming to equip service providers with Open RAN capabilities fitting modern network demands. The solution built on Red Hat OpenShift exemplifies the approach to efficient network operations.

Honoré LaBourdette, vice president of Global Telco Ecosystem at Red Hat, stated, “With this collaboration, Red Hat, KDDI and Samsung continue to build upon our shared vision to accelerate 5G core and RAN workloads across any network landscape.” Kazuhiro Furuhata, vice president at KDDI, noted the significance of using IBI and IBU capabilities for their Open RAN deployment, while Ilseung Ban, vice president at Samsung, emphasized their ongoing partnership to advance Open RAN capabilities for future networks.

The collaboration is positioned to enhance service providers' network capabilities while addressing the increasing complexity and demand of modern telecommunications.