Nokia Demonstrates C-RAN Platform

Nokia successfully has tested with Vodafone its cloud-based radio access network that essentially separates signal processing functions from air access functions. That, in principle, should allow lower-cost and more-efficient mobile access networks. Such cloud-based radio access networks are among the many effort now being made across the industry to reduce infrastructure costs and improve performance.

By processing centrally, many active elements formerly in the distributed base stations can be removed from the field. That should lead to lower-cost base stations, though balanced by new requirements for headend (data center or central office) facilities and greater fiber network backhaul, in some cases.

By concentrating radio processing at a remote location, access network equipment might also feature lower-cost, more generic and almost open source components.

On the other hand, C-RANs also are expected to allow more-efficient use of radio access resources, compared to a traditional approach using distributed processing.

On the other hand, in some scenarios, network architects say there are benefits for using rival new “all-in-one” base stations that are small and can be deployed quickly.

As almost always is the case, actual deployments will tend to be a mix of grand strategy and tactical decisions dictated by local requirements; architectural evolution over time and spot deployments to alleviate immediate capacity problems.