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Breaking the Mold: Samsung and DISH Wireless Rewrite the 5G Network Deployment Handbook

Jun 15. 2023
  • Jihee Kwak / Design Group, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics

    Junehee Lee

    Executive Vice President, Head of Global Sales & Marketing, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics

DISH Wireless today announced that it reached a significant milestone in its 5G network deployment: it met the FCC's June 2023 deadline to provide 5G broadband coverage to 70% of the U.S. population. DISH Wireless has built this brand new, reliable 5G network from the ground up. Creating a greenfield network is no easy feat and this deployment is a prime example of how embracing openness and virtualization can offer operators a more flexible way to launch advanced networks quickly and efficiently. Samsung is proud to join DISH Wireless on this journey and we’re sharing sincere congratulations on this meaningful achievement!

 

A number of factors have allowed DISH Wireless to be successful in its network deployment, one of which was their decision to employ an Open RAN architecture. This approach enabled innovation and flexibility in DISH Wireless' network, fostering greater vendor diversity. Another was their choice to adopt virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN), which provides more agility, scalability and intelligence to the network. A third reason was their selection of Samsung as a major partner for the massive undertaking.

 

Regarding this significant milestone, DISH Wireless President and Chief Operating Officer John Swieringa, stated: "We appreciate our partners' continued support as DISH Wireless leads the industry in Open RAN deployment. With their help, we are transforming the telecommunications industry and the way the world communicates."

 

Samsung has taken a key role in supporting DISH Wireless' deployment success. Since Samsung and DISH Wireless entered into their agreement in May 2022, Samsung has delivered and deployed O-RAN compliant 5G radios and vRAN software for DISH Wireless, and integrated them with DISH-selected private and public cloud platforms. Samsung also worked with DISH Wireless' O-RAN partners to deploy its O-RAN compliant RAN and vRAN solutions across the network, enabling DISH Wireless to provide their customers with fast and reliable and enhanced 5G services. Swift end-to-end integration and testing were made possible by utilizing DISH Wireless' “Low-Touch Provisioning” capabilities, which allow the new 5G operator to scale deployments rapidly and efficiently.

 

In just one year, Samsung has been delivering O-RAN compliant radios and has been actively expanding their vRAN sites, turning on up to +900 sites per week. The rapid deployment pace – made possible by vRAN and Open RAN – helped DISH Wireless meet the FCC-mandated deadline. As a result, DISH Wireless is now seeing in initial markets, successful broadband and VoNR, along with meeting other key performance indicators at live sites.

 

Samsung is proud to take part in DISH Wireless' journey toward realizing its innovative vision and deploying its nationwide vRAN and O-RAN based 5G network.

 

Together, DISH Wireless and Samsung have overcome challenges, embraced innovation and worked closely to redefine what is possible in the telecommunications industry. Continuing to leverage the strength and effectiveness of the collaboration, Samsung looks forward to working with DISH Wireless as they aim to achieve more milestones and deliver the best 5G experience for its customers. 

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