Samsung supplies DDS tech for Verizon’s 5G network

Samsung Electronics on Tuesday said it has supplied its dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) technology to Verizon’s network.

DSS allows for 4G base stations to process 5G signals. It allows carriers to use spectrum they used in 4G for 5G.

Verizon launched its 5G nationwide service that uses DSS technology in October last year. The carrier timed it with Apple’s launch of iPhone 12, which supports 5G.

Ericsson and Nokia had supplied their DSS technology then. Verizon’s 5G network at the time covered 200 million people, according to the company.

Last month, Verizon said it has expanded its coverage by 24 million people. Samsung’s DSS supply comes two months later than its European rivals.

The South Korean tech company’s equipment covers around 10% of Verizon’s 5G coverage to 230 million people. Samsung’s kits are being used in central Texas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, upstate New York and New England.

Samsung Network used vRAN 2.0 to supply the DSS technology. 

vRAN 2.0 uses both virtualized distributed unit and core unit. Samsung has supplied virtualized core unit to Japan’s KDDI before (called vRAN 1.0) but its supply to Verizon is the first time it is offering virtualized distributed unit as well.

Samsung is expected to take away shares from Nokia within Verizon’s supply chain this year. Last year, it signed a US$6.64 billion deal with the carrier to supply 4G and 5G equipment.