Samsung is partnering with Amdocs to help more mobile operators virtualize their networks in the 5G era. The companies say they will collaborate to integrate virtual network functions (VNF) with operators that use Samsung’s 5G network offerings in the Open Networking Automation Platform (ONAP).

“This is less related to new capabilities for Samsung Network equipment and very much focused on supporting [communications service providers] in their journey towards 5G and network virtualization, and specifically the combination of the two,” Oren Marmur, VP and head of NFV at Amdocs, wrote in response to questions.

Samsung will provide VNFs in the 5G core domain, and Amdocs will provide its software, NFV, SDN, and ONAP expertise to enable these VNFs into ONAP, Marmur explained. The effort will start with Samsung’s virtualized central unit function and eventually expand to other capabilities, including components of the 5G core, aimed at helping operators build a fully cloud-enabled 5G network, according to Amdocs.

“The collaboration has to do with onboarding the Samsung VNFs into ONAP and certifying it against both the ONAP standards and framework, as well as to integrate it into the Amdocs NFV platform, which would allow us to jointly address opportunities required [for] 5G VNFs as well as the required orchestration and automation layer,” Marmur said. “We are going through the standard ONAP based onboarding process, aligning with the ONAP service model, VNF modeling and VNF packaging.”

The companies also intend to explore the delivery of other network services, including virtual radio access networks (vRAN) and greater enablement of NFV. The partnership “helps us accelerate an important shift towards a dynamic software-driven architecture that will empower networks to adjust themselves to meet ever-changing user demands and network conditions,” said Jaeho Jeon, executive vice president of Samsung’s networks business, in a statement.

Marmur describes vRAN as “yet another step in the virtualization journey — where not only the mobile core functions are virtualized, but also the RAN control.” That foundation will provide operators with benefits around service agility, greater automation, lower operational complexity, and faster deployment, he added.

“The collaboration here encompasses the end-to-end process from design, optimization, rollout as well as network and service orchestration of all virtual based functions that have been deployed,” Marmur said.