Samsung Accelerates Global 5G Infrastructure Expansion Across Europe and Japan

Industry Insights from Next Move Strategy Consulting

As telecommunications providers intensify efforts to modernize connectivity infrastructure, Samsung is expanding its artificial intelligence-powered 5G network capabilities across multiple global markets. Through strategic collaborations with major telecom operators in Europe and Japan, the company is strengthening the deployment of advanced network architectures designed to support faster, more flexible, and software-driven mobile networks. 

These developments highlight the growing role of cloud-native technologies, virtualization, and Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) ecosystems in shaping the next phase of global 5G infrastructure deployment. 

Strengthening Europe’s 5G Network Through Advanced Virtualized Infrastructure

In Europe, Samsung has expanded its collaboration with Vodafone to advance Open RAN deployments in Germany. The partnership integrates artificial intelligence computing platforms and automation technologies to enhance network performance and operational efficiency. 

A significant milestone in this collaboration was the completion of Europe’s first call using Samsung’s virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) solution powered by Intel’s Xeon 6 system-on-chip. The test was conducted with additional technology partners, including Dell Technologies and Wind River. 

The trial demonstrated a highly streamlined configuration capable of operating 2G, 4G, and 5G networks simultaneously on a single high-performance server. This unified architecture is expected to support commercial deployment in 2026. 

To support large-scale network operations, Samsung is also introducing its artificial intelligence-enabled CognitiV Network Operations Suite. The platform simplifies network management by enabling one-click deployment and faster system upgrades across software-driven telecom infrastructures. 

Expanding Cloud-Native Open RAN Networks in Japan

Beyond Europe, Samsung is strengthening its presence in Japan through a new collaboration with Rakuten Mobile. The company will supply Open RAN-compliant 5G radios designed to support and expand Rakuten Mobile’s cloud-native Open RAN network. 

Commercial deployment of the new infrastructure is expected to begin this year, reinforcing the operator’s fully virtualized network architecture and accelerating the adoption of open and interoperable telecom systems. 

Samsung’s radio portfolio for the partnership includes solutions tailored to multiple frequency bands. These include low-band 700 MHz radios for extended coverage, mid-band 1.7 GHz radios for balanced performance, and Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output radios operating in the 3.8 GHz band to support high-capacity urban deployments. 

Both companies have also expressed plans to expand their Open RAN collaboration beyond Japan, highlighting broader ambitions to advance next-generation network ecosystems. 

Driving the Next Phase of AI-Enabled Telecom Infrastructure

Samsung’s initiatives across Europe and Japan underscore the industry’s transition toward software-defined, cloud-native, and open network architectures. By combining artificial intelligence, virtualization, and Open RAN technologies, telecom operators are gaining the flexibility to scale networks, streamline operations, and support increasingly data-intensive applications. 

As 5G infrastructure continues to evolve globally, such collaborations demonstrate how technology providers and telecom operators are working together to build more intelligent and adaptable communication networks.

NMSC Viewpoint

According to Next Move Strategy Consulting, the global 5G infrastructure ecosystem is entering a new phase characterized by virtualization, artificial intelligence integration, and open network architectures. The collaboration between Samsung and leading telecom operators highlights how technology providers are enabling telecom companies to modernize legacy systems while improving operational efficiency and scalability.

The expansion of Open RAN and cloud-native infrastructure also reflects a broader industry shift toward flexible and interoperable networks. Such developments are expected to accelerate innovation in mobile connectivity while supporting the growing demand for high-performance digital services worldwide.

Source: Sammy Fans 

Prepared by: Next Move Strategy Consulting