DISH Wireless has launched a virtual Open RAN 5G network with the help of Samsung, marking the start of Samsung’s involvement in the operator’s nationwide rollout. The initial deployment features 24,000 Open RAN-compliant radios and 5G virtualized RAN (vRAN) software solutions from Samsung. The collaboration between the two companies is expected to speed up DISH’s network deployment across the US, providing reliable and fast nationwide coverage to DISH Wireless network users.

DISH Wireless and Samsung have been collaborating since May 2022, with the rollout progressing from field tests to successfully activating the first live Samsung sites within the DISH Wireless 5G network. For this deployment, Samsung provided its complete portfolio of 5G solutions, including its virtualized distributed unit (vDU), virtualized central unit (vCU), and Open RAN-compliant 5G radios, which support the DISH spectrum bands. Samsung also built new dual-band and tri-band Open RAN-compliant radios specifically for this deployment.

Marc Rouanne, EVP and Chief Network Officer at DISH Wireless, said, “Samsung is a key player in the DISH Wireless Open RAN ecosystem, created in collaboration with additional Open RAN leaders like Dell, VMware, AWS, and others. Samsung’s 5G vRAN solutions and our shared innovation process allow DISH Wireless to continue the DISH 5G multi-vendor, open and interoperable cloud-native network buildout, as we progress to covering 70 percent of the US population.”

Junehee Lee, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Sales & Marketing, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, added, “DISH Wireless is an innovator in mobile technologies and we are thrilled to reach new heights of connectivity together, validating the immense potential that virtualization and openness can bring to the industry. This milestone advances the wide-scale deployment of Samsung’s vRAN in the US, and we look forward to continuing our work with DISH Wireless to accelerate 5G expansion and lead the delivery of next-generation connectivity across the country.”

DISH Wireless and Samsung are expected to continue their partnership within the DISH Open RAN architecture to provide customers with reliable, fast service and prepare DISH Wireless to offer enterprises a broad range of new services and enhanced capabilities. With this collaboration, DISH Wireless aims to set a new standard for the US telecommunications industry, creating a nationwide 5G network that delivers reliable, fast, and secure connectivity for all.