Samsung Electronics has announced a major partnership with Vodafone to deploy virtualized and Open RAN solutions across Germany and other European countries. The collaboration marks a defining step in transforming Europe’s mobile network infrastructure, emphasizing innovation through AI, automation, and energy efficiency.
Germany will serve as the starting point for this initiative, hosting one of the largest Open RAN deployments in Europe. The first commercial site in Hannover is already active, and Wismar is expected to become Vodafone’s first fully Open RAN-powered city by early 2026. Over the next five years, Samsung and Vodafone will expand to thousands of additional sites across the continent.
Advancing European Mobile Networks with AI
Under this agreement, Samsung will supply its virtualized RAN (vRAN) solutions with support for 2G, 4G, and 5G networks, alongside O-RAN-compliant radios such as Massive MIMO units. The company will also introduce its AI-powered CognitiV Network Operations Suite (NOS) and system integration services to enhance operational efficiency and automation.
To ensure seamless deployment, Samsung will collaborate with key technology partners — Dell Technologies (servers), Intel (processors), and Wind River (cloud platform) — building a robust, interoperable network environment.
Energy Efficiency and Intelligent Operations
Samsung’s AI-ESM (Energy Saving Manager) will optimize network energy use by analyzing real-time data and adjusting cell activity based on traffic demands. This system can switch off underused sites during off-peak hours, reducing energy consumption without affecting performance.
Additionally, the new system architecture supports RAN sharing, allowing multiple operators to share the same infrastructure while maintaining strong performance. This innovation will lower costs, improve efficiency, and accelerate Open RAN adoption in key European markets.
Building the Future of Connectivity
Both companies see Open RAN as a catalyst for creating flexible, scalable, and AI-integrated networks. Vodafone’s Chief Network Officer, Alberto Ripepi, said the partnership reinforces the operator’s mission to build “best-in-class networks powered by AI and automation.” Samsung’s Head of Networks, Woojune Kim, highlighted the collaboration as part of a broader shift toward autonomous, software-defined telecom systems.
By combining Samsung’s technological expertise with Vodafone’s expansive reach, the partnership promises to redefine mobile connectivity in Europe — paving the way for faster, smarter, and more sustainable 5G networks.
