[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ]LG Uplus(032640)has partnered with global telecommunications equipment company Ericsson to successfully extend the connection distance between base station equipment by up to three times compared to previous levels. With the completion of verification of “long-range front-haul” technology—considered a core component of next-generation telecommunications infrastructure—the transition to AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network) and cloud-based networks has received a green light.

According to the telecommunications industry, LG Uplus recently successfully completed a field trial in a long-distance environment using Ericsson’s front-haul equipment and network automation capabilities.

Front-haul refers to the link connecting the base station antenna (RU) and the data processing unit (DU), and is considered a prerequisite for implementing next-generation communication networks. Through this validation, the two companies overcame technical limitations by tripling the physical distance while maintaining unwavering stability in communication quality.

Of particular note is the simultaneous demonstration of “DU redundancy” technology. By testing a system that automatically switches to backup equipment immediately in the event of a failure, the companies demonstrated the potential to minimize human intervention and maximize operational efficiency in future network operations. This achievement is seen as establishing a foothold that enables seamless integration with next-generation networks while maximizing the utilization of existing infrastructure assets.

Building on this achievement, LG Uplus will accelerate the advancement of front-haul and network automation technologies. The company plans to expand verification in real network environments while focusing its company-wide capabilities on securing the core technologies necessary for building AI-based autonomous networks.

Lee Sang-heon, Head of Network Advanced Development at LG Uplus, stated, “This validation is highly significant in that it allows us to proactively secure the core technological capabilities essential for the future network environment,” adding, “We will continue to discover innovative technologies that will lead the era of next-generation networks.”

Lee Ji-hyun, Executive Vice President and Head of Network Solutions at Ericsson Korea, remarked, “Through close collaboration with LG Uplus, we have thoroughly assessed the feasibility of implementing next-generation communications based on long-haul fronthaul and network automation.” He added, “We will continue to maintain a strong partnership in the development of future network technologies, including AI-RAN.”