Dasan Networks has begun shipping 5G equipment to Japanese telco Rakuten Mobile, the company said Tuesday.
It follows announcement made by Dasan Zhone Solutions, Dasan’s US subsidiary, last year that it has been elected the supplier for 5G fronthaul solutions by the telco.
Dasan’s goods being supplied can be applied both in the fronthaul or backhaul, alternatively dubbed “anyhaul”. Fronthaul refers to equipment that connects the data unit and radio unit of the radio station, while the backhaul refers to equipment used to connect the data unit with the core network.
Compatriot HFR also supplies anyhaul equipment, but to US carrier Verizon.
A Dasan spokesperson said shipment plans hasn't been affected by Rakuten’s 3 months delay in launching 5G services, which was initially slated to begin in June, and is running smoothly.
Dasan Networks posted operating loss of 190 million won and revenues of 446.6 billion won last year. The loss stemmed from the cost of Dasan Zhone Solution’s acquisition of German equipment vendor Keymile.
But the Rakuten deal as well as new orders from other telcos there in the second half of the year is expected to help turn a profit this year, according to South Korean analysts.
