Samsung and Intel have demonstrated that single-server virtualized RAN (vRAN) can operate on a commercial network—a significant milestone that could reduce hardware sprawl for operators.
Telecom leaders face the challenge of maintaining high network performance while lowering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). As operators shift from proprietary appliances to software-defined architectures, consolidation becomes central: running more functions on fewer, more power-efficient servers.
Samsung recently provided a concrete example of this approach by completing a commercial call on a Tier 1 US operator’s live network using its vRAN solution paired with Intel’s Xeon 6700P-B processor series.
The trial, executed on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) server from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) with a Wind River cloud platform, shows that high-density computing can handle the complex network functions that previously required multiple, separate pieces of hardware.
The economics of consolidation
The benefits are both economic and operational. Traditional network deployments often suffer from sprawl: separate physical units host the mobile core, radio access, transport, and security functions. This increases power consumption, capital expenses, and operational complexity.
In this vRAN deployment, Samsung demonstrated the consolidation of multiple software-driven network elements onto a single server. Using the Intel Xeon 6 processors with high core counts (up to 72 cores), operators can run RAN and AI workloads concurrently on the same platform.
Consolidation reduces capital expenditure (CAPEX) by cutting the number of servers operators need to buy, and it lowers operational expenditure (OPEX) through reduced power use and simpler site maintenance. With growing pressure to adopt sustainable infrastructure, the ability to condense workloads is becoming a key factor in network modernization.
Validating single-server vRAN readiness in live environments
Lab tests can be promising, but validation in live commercial environments is essential to prove reliability. Building on Samsung’s earlier 2024 lab demonstration of an end-to-end call, moving to a Tier 1 operator’s live network confirms that the technology remains stable under real-world conditions.
June Moon, Executive VP and Head of R&D, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, said this milestone represents major progress in network virtualisation and efficiency, confirming the readiness of single-server vRAN to meet the demanding performance and reliability standards carriers require.
Moon emphasized that this deployment also supports easier integration of AI capabilities, helping prepare networks for future standards such as 6G through software-first approaches.
Integrating AI into network operations (AI-RAN) demands substantial processing resources. The Samsung deployment used the Intel Xeon 6 SoC, which includes Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX) and Intel vRAN Boost. These features improve AI processing and memory bandwidth compared with previous silicon generations.
That points toward increasingly “AI-native” networks where acceleration is embedded in primary processors rather than added as separate accelerators. Cristina Rodriguez, VP and GM, Network & Edge at Intel, highlighted the collaborative effort with Samsung, HPE, and Wind River in achieving greater consolidation of RAN and AI workloads to reduce power usage and total cost while accelerating innovation.
Moving beyond hypothetical gains
Industry analysts see this vRAN test as an important step from theory to deployable reality. Daryl Schoolar, Analyst and Director at Recon Analytics, noted the industry is shifting past paper-based performance claims.
“By demonstrating multiple network functions running on next-generation processors, Samsung illustrates a future that is more cloud-native, scalable, and efficient,” Schoolar said, adding that the achievement moves the industry from theoretical gains to practical innovations operators can use to modernize networks and support AI-driven services.
This progress indicates Open RAN and vRAN technologies are maturing. Running multi-domain workloads on a single COTS server lowers the barrier to entry for flexible, software-defined networks.
Nevertheless, large-scale implementation remains complex. Although the hardware and software stack—combining Samsung, Intel, HPE, and Wind River—was validated in this instance, widespread deployment will require extensive integration testing and operational readiness reviews.
Operators need to evaluate their data lineage, operational processes, and cross-team capabilities to manage consolidated environments effectively. While a single-server architecture improves efficiency, it also concentrates risk, so resilience and redundancy strategies must evolve alongside consolidation.
Samsung’s portfolio, which includes chipsets, radios, and core network elements, aims to support the transition to 6G and AI-enabled automation. For buyers, the immediate return on investment often centers on lower energy bills and reduced physical footprint at data centers and cell sites.
As the industry moves toward 6G, the convergence of RAN and AI on unified platforms is likely to become a standard architecture. This single-server vRAN milestone provides evidence that today’s hardware ecosystem can already support that convergence.
See also: How AI-RAN delivers operational ROI for telcos
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