Samsung, Virgin Media O2 expand 4G/5G collaboration on live networks in UK

Just recently, Samsung and Virgin Media O2 announced that they have successfully completed the expansion of multiple Live 4G and 5G sites in the UK, taking the next step in their collaboration. With this expansion, companies have also completed the first 5G data calls on Virgin Media O2’s commercial 5G network using the sites.

Starting this year – Tamworth conducted joint field trials at sites in the Peak District of England. They followed successful lab tests conducted in October 2021, confirming the capability and performance of Samsung’s 4G and 5G solutions on Virgin Media O2’s commercial network.

In addition, these field tests demonstrated the interaction between Virgin Media O2’s 2G/3G/4G networks and Samsung’s latest 4G and 5G solutions, and Samsung’s Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) capabilities certified use if they are needed.

Samsung offers its latest network of solutions – including 4G radios, 5G giant MIMO radios, and baseband units – for testing. The solutions cover a wide range of Virgin Media O2’s spectrum holdings, from low- to mid-band (800MHz, 2.1GHz, and 3.5GHz).

In particular, Samsung distributed its 5G 64T64R heavy MIMO radios for the 3.5GHz spectrum, a major 5G spectrum band for the operator network.

Samsung’s 5G 64T64R Massive MIMO Radio has expanded commercially across global markets, currently providing mobile services to millions of users. This solution, in conjunction with Samsung’s baseband unit, provides better coverage and higher data capacity to enhance the 5G customer mobile experience.

Leads to the successful delivery of 5G end-to-end solutions, including Samsung chipsets, radios, and cores. Through ongoing research and development, Samsung continues to push the industry to advance its market-leading product portfolio from fully virtualized RAN and core to private network solutions and AI-based automation tools to 5G networks.