LG Uplus and Ericsson test long-distance fronthaul, extending base-station links up to 3x
In short
LG Uplus said on 22 October that it had verified, together with Ericsson, a long-distance fronthaul technology that can extend the connection distance between base-station equipment by up to three times while keeping communication quality stable. The companies also tested a DU redundancy function that automatically switches to standby equipment after a fault.
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LG Uplus said on 22 October that it had verified, together with Ericsson, a long-distance fronthaul technology that can extend the connection distance between base-station equipment by up to three times while keeping communication quality stable. Newsis described the extension as relative to the existing distance. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Fronthaul is the section that connects the radio unit (RU), which acts as the base-station antenna, with the unit that processes data (DU). The outlets described it as a key element for next-generation network environments, and Newsis said it is among the components needed for AI-RAN and cloud-based networks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
In the trial, LG Uplus used the fronthaul equipment and network automation functions provided by Ericsson. Seoul Economic Daily and Newsis reported that the companies also checked how the equipment worked with LG Uplus's own base-station equipment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The companies also tested DU redundancy, which automatically switches a faulty unit to a standby unit. Chosun Ilbo said that if a DU fails, the standby DU immediately takes over, preventing service interruption for the base stations connected to it. Seoul Economic Daily and Newsis said the test confirmed the possibility of reducing human intervention in network operation and improving efficiency. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Seoul Economic Daily and Newsis said the verification was meaningful because it checked technology needed for AI-RAN and cloud-based networks while using existing telecom facilities. LG Uplus plans to continue trials of fronthaul and network automation, expand verification to real network environments and secure technology for an AI-based autonomous network. [ 1 , 2 ]
Lee Sang-heon (이상헌), who is in charge of network advanced development at LG Uplus, said the verification was meaningful because it covered core technology needed for future network environments, and that the company would keep finding new technology for the next-generation era. Lee Ji-hyun (이지현), who heads network solutions at Ericsson Korea, said the test examined the feasibility of next-generation networks based on long-distance fronthaul and network automation, and that the company would continue cooperating on technology development and verification, including AI-RAN. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
LG Uplus said the test checked technology needed for AI-RAN and cloud-based networks while using existing telecom facilities. The company plans further trials, including in real network environments, but the documents give no commercial rollout date.
Key facts
- LG Uplus said on 22 October that it had verified a long-distance fronthaul technology with Ericsson. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The technology can extend the connection distance between base-station equipment by up to three times while keeping communication quality stable, the company said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Fronthaul is the section linking the radio unit (RU), which acts as the base-station antenna, with the unit that processes data (DU). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The test used Ericsson's fronthaul equipment and network automation functions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The companies also tested DU redundancy, which automatically switches a faulty unit to a standby unit. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- LG Uplus plans further trials of fronthaul and network automation, and to widen verification to real network environments. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- LG Uplus and Ericsson verified a long-distance fronthaul technology that can extend the distance between base-station equipment by up to three times with stable communication quality. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- DU redundancy, which automatically switches a faulty unit to standby equipment, was also tested. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- LG Uplus plans additional trials of fronthaul and network automation technology. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Where and under what conditions the trial was run, and the measured results beyond the up-to-three-times figure. The documents give only the headline figure from the company announcement and no independent measurements.
- When the technology could be used in a commercial network. The documents say only that verification will be extended to real network environments and give no timetable.