Qualcomm, Fujitsu Plan 5G Open RAN Consolidation Offering

March 3, 2022

Building off years of collaboration, Qualcomm Technologies detailed plans to commercialize 5G open and virtualized integrated distributed unit (DU) and radio unit (RU) solutions with powerful 5G mmWave performance capabilities to drive the transition towards next generation 5G mobile infrastructure. Qualcomm Technologies is coming together with Fujitsu – within NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s 5G OREC initiative – to address the demands of modern networks, streamline deployments and lower the total cost of ownership by delivering high-performance, O-RAN-compliant, energy-efficient, virtualized, cloud-native 5G solutions.

The new solution intends to fast track commercialization and proliferate adoption of 5G open and virtualized infrastructure globally at scale. Combining a high-power 5G mmWave antenna module, integrated with DUs and RUs in one compact design, Fujitsu will support the deployment of these solutions to optimize the front haul capacity and operators to meet performance demands. This collaboration and new solution will activate a full-swing of powerful mmWave performance applications into global operators and provide operators new opportunities to create innovation within their networks.

Today, network operators strive to obtain solutions to support the deployment of cost-effective 5G network infrastructure, while continuing to address the complexities and demands of next-generation networks that are needed to enhance customer experiences. Qualcomm Technologies and Fujitsu are tackling these challenges by developing high-performance, O-RAN compliant and power-efficient solutions to redefine how mobile networks are designed and deployed and how next-generation services are delivered.

“We are pleased to work together with Fujitsu with respect to NTT DOCOMO’s 5G OREC initiative, to collaborate on accelerating the innovation cycle to fast track the deployment of modern networks at scale,” said Durga Malladi, senior vice president and general manager, 5G, mobile broadband and infrastructure, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “With Qualcomm Technologies global leadership in 5G, we’re uniquely positioned to enable the industry and proliferate 5G open and virtualized solutions with powerful 5G mmWave performance capabilities, driving the transition towards the modern network with ability to support new and exciting user experiences around the world.”

“This joint collaboration will encourage 5G mmWave enhancement through NTT DOCOMO’s 5G OREC for global expansion,” said Junko Sunaga, vice president, Qualcomm Japan GK and president, Qualcomm Japan. “In addition to a long historic relationship between Fujitsu and Qualcomm Technologies, we’re together striving to succeed in next generation 5G Mobile Infrastructure to contribute to NTT DOCOMO’s 5G OREC initiatives.”

“Qualcomm Technologies is a leader in 5G mmWave technology innovation in the mobile industry along with Fujitsu. We anticipate that this joint collaboration will allow us to launch breakthrough technology for enabling full package mmWave DU and RU solutions to deliver success through NTT DOCOMO’s 5G OREC initiative globally,” said Masaki Taniguchi, senior vice president and head of the mobile system business unit, Fujitsu. “We are expanding mobile technological capabilities, consolidating Fujitsu’s accumulated technologies and Qualcomm Technologies’ Open RAN mmWave solutions to create the 5G mmWave foundation for the Open RAN Ecosystem with NTT DOCOMO.”

“We are excited to have Qualcomm Technologies and Fujitsu collaborating to develop modern, cloud-native 5G RAN solutions,” said Sadayuki Abeta, general manager, radio access network development department, NTT DOCOMO. “The development of 5G open and virtualized DU solutions will help drive our 5G OREC initiatives and streamline 5G RAN deployments, making it more flexible and interoperable for global industry leaders.”

The collaboration aims for solutions becoming available for global deployment in 2024.