Regional US carrier UScellular has deployed Samsung's 5G mmWave and virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) within its 5G mobile network.
In an announcement this week, Samsung confirmed that it has supported UScellular's 5G deployment in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country.
The carrier, which has around 4.5 million customers and operates in 21 US states, has deployed Samsung's 5G Compact Macro products.
According to Samsung, "Compact Macro consolidates the baseband, radio, and antenna into a single, lightweight form factor for swift and easy installation."
Samsung's mmWave technology allows UScellular to access bandwidth in the 28GHz and 39GHz bands, which it notes will enable ultra-high speeds and low latency.
“Tapping into the ultra-high bandwidth of the mmWave spectrum allows us to unleash new capabilities and deliver cutting-edge customer experiences. Samsung's proven expertise in innovative 5G and vRAN makes them an ideal partner," said Mike Dienhart, VP of engineering and network operations, UScellular.
On top of its mmWave 5G, Samsung is also providing its vRAN network for UScellular. Samsung says the use of its virtualized network capabilities provides the carrier with additional bandwidth and advanced intelligence capabilities, including energy-saving features.
Wilf Norrlinger, VP, US sales, networks business, Samsung Electronics America, added: "This collaboration showcases how our innovations in areas such as vRAN and mmWave are unlocking new capabilities. It's exciting to collaborate with forward-thinking providers like UScellular and push the next-generation wireless to new frontiers."
UScellular is one of the bigger regional providers in the US outside of the traditional 'Big 3' of AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
However, the expensive cost of deploying its 5G network has seen the company carve out deals to sell a host of assets.
Last month, NexTech Wireless and Nsight filed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) paperwork to scoop up spectrum assets from UScellular.
This followed deals with the three big carriers. UScellular agreed in May 2024 to sell its customer base and around 30 percent of the company's wireless spectrum to T-Mobile for $4.4bn.
Later that same year it moved ahead with two separate spectrum sales to AT&T worth $1.01bn and Verizon for $1bn.
