
AirScale Cloud RAN
At the leading edge of 5G
Why is it time for Cloud RAN?
As the industry is increasingly adopting 5G, flexible and scalable solutions are needed to fully deliver on the 5G promise.
Cloud RAN is about meeting the requirement for edge computing as an enabler for new use cases. Furthermore, operators are looking for ways to benefit from the private wireless business opportunity. Cloud RAN can be referred to as Virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN). Its characteristics include agility, flexibility, and openness. Nokia Cloud RAN brings the needed agility for operators and industries. It complements the existing network assets, helps operators build synergies with enterprise on-premises cloud, and paves the way for 6G.
What is Cloud RAN?
Cloud RAN introduces an architectural evolution to Radio Access Networks. It means that RAN hardware and software are disaggregated: To take full advantage of the cloud-computing model, the functions are built with cloud-native design. With RAN virtualization, it is possible to use shared edge infrastructure for edge cloud deployments. This architectural evolution is about introducing 5G radio capacity for new services in the enterprise space.
Hardware acceleration technology is a critical element in Cloud RAN performance. Nokia In-Line architecture option implemented with a specialized high-performance accelerator, Nokia Cloud RAN SmartNIC. Nokia SmartNIC provides performance parity between Purpose-built RAN and Cloud RAN environments, and it is an energy-efficient solution with an optimal capacity/power ratio for demanding L1 processing.
Why is Cloud RAN important?
Cloud RAN drives the next level of network agility for operators and enterprises in collaboration with the industry ecosystem. Reliable, real-time wireless connectivity is a game-changing application in the enterprise IT environments. For mobile operators, Cloud RAN brings the opportunity to deliver innovative technologies and services that help establish new business and revenue models with enterprises. It also opens the door for closer collaboration with public cloud providers.
Shared cloud infrastructure helps use network resources more efficiently and cost effectively. Enterprise applications can be co-hosted with 5G Cloud RAN in the on-premises cloud at the edge of the network. Network operations can be automated and simplified in a non-telecom environment for further synergies.
What is the role of Cloud RAN in digital transformation?
Digital technologies are transforming industries and enhancing productivity in a completely different scale than ever before. 5G Cloud RAN helps physical industries embrace the benefits of digitalization. Today, digital industries such as online retail, media and banking are way ahead of physical industries in adopting digitalization. 5G Cloud RAN is the reliable, real-time adhesive between the physical and digital worlds, helping industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, logistics, mining, and energy to jump start their digital transformation with private wireless connectivity.

Hardware acceleration - a critical element in Cloud RAN performance
The two primary options for implementing Cloud RAN acceleration are the so-called “Look-Aside” and “In-Line” architectures. Our white paper objectively analyses the two main acceleration option categories and serves as a guide to selecting the best option for any commercial Cloud RAN deployment aiming for highest performance and greatest flexibility.
Nokia Cloud RAN – at the leading edge of 5G
Nokia Cloud RAN enhances the potential of existing cloud infrastructure with real time 5G wireless connectivity. It fulfills the promise of a reliable connectivity application, fit for IT cloud environments. Nokia is actively collaborating with the industry ecosystem to further advance the development of 5G edge cloud solutions.
We are a preferred partner of all three major hyperscalers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft. We are strengthening this partnership through IBM and tech giants Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard
Read more about our industry collaboration with these partner companies here:
Supporting the openness is part of the Nokia Cloud RAN DNA. These blog posts describe our collaboration:
Learn more about Cloud RAN

White paper
Cloud RAN: A guide to acceleration options

Blog
In-Line architecture: bringing efficiency and performance to Cloud RAN

Executive summary
Disaggregate the RAN with VMware and Nokia

Blog
The collaborative advantage: Nokia and partners delivering best-in-class Cloud RAN solutions

Case study
Operator saves while expanding network
Interview
Accelerating cloud RAN technology innovation in the 5G era

External blog
Red Hat and Nokia collaborate to accelerate 5G RAN technology innovation

External blog