Cellcom Picks Parallel Wireless vRAN Solution to Expand 4G, Prep for 5G

Comcast Business debuted its managed SD-WAN service in 2017. The service provider selected Versa Networks SD-WAN technology and relies on a universal CPE (uCPE) approach to deliver the service to its customers. Going forward, Comcast is focusing on new opportunities to update its SD-WAN to meet customers’ growing expectations of the service.Cellcom, the Wisconsin-based regional carrier owned by Nsight, plans to deploy the virtualized radio access network (vRAN/O-RAN) solution from U.S.-based Parallel Wireless to help expand its existing 4G network coverage and prepare the way for the launch of 5G services. Parallel Wireless develops small-cell services for cellular network provisioning and aims to reduce the cost and complexity involved in the deployment of cellular networks to levels currently associated with enterprise WiFi. It claims that its small cell-based vRAN solution suits rural and remote requirements better than more conventional network approaches, as it provides low-cost coverage and efficient spectrum management. This aim certainly seems to have appealed to Cellcom, which was seeking a cost-effective and flexible solution for efficient 4G coverage across urban service areas and a large rural footprint. Steve Libbey, VP of sales at Parallel Wireless, said in a release that Cellcom’s new, next-generation network “will allow their rural and urban customers to experience new best-of-breed services over both 4G and, in the future, 5G.”Cellcom is already looking ahead to 5G, and recently partnered with Ericsson to host a 5G demonstration in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mark Naze, CEO of Cellcom, said at the time that the carrier is “building the path to 5G now, deploying 5G-ready radios and installing fiber to carry the increased data traffic.” The carrier also acquired spectrum in the 600 MHz band during the FCC incentive auction in 2017, and is understood to be participating in the current auction of millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum in the 28 GHz band.