Virtualization and orchestration of a radio access network

A system for use in a distributed radio access network (RAN), the system comprising:

• a baseband unit (BBU);
• a cluster of remote radio units (RRUs);
• and
• an orchestration module;
• wherein the cluster of RRUs and BBU communicate with each other over a fronthaul link using an adaptive protocol;
• wherein the cluster of RRUs is configured to appear as a single base station to a plurality of mobile terminals in connection with providing wireless service to the plurality of mobile terminals;
• and
• wherein the orchestration module is configured to configure the cluster of RRUs so that a first RRU of the cluster of RRUs transmits first data to a first mobile terminal included in the plurality of mobile terminals and a second RRU of the cluster of RRUs transmits second data to a second mobile terminal included in the plurality of mobile terminals during a same time period using a same frequency.