Nokia, SoftBank Expand Japan Network Modernization Deal
▼ Summary
– Nokia expands its partnership with SoftBank Corp. to supply 4G and 5G radio access equipment in Japan.
– The agreement includes modernizing existing network infrastructure and expanding 5G standalone coverage in Western Japan.
– Nokia will deploy its energy-efficient AirScale RAN solutions, featuring Habrok Massive MIMO radios and ReefShark technology for high performance.
– The implementation incorporates AI-powered MantaRay for network management and includes joint R&D on AI-RAN and 6G technologies.
– The enhanced partnership aims to build a high-quality 5G network that improves efficiency, reduces emissions, and enhances user experience.
Nokia and SoftBank Corp. have significantly broadened their existing collaboration through a freshly inked agreement focused on supplying Japan with sophisticated 4G and 5G radio access equipment. This enhanced partnership will drive the modernization of current network infrastructure while expanding 5G standalone coverage, with deployment efforts concentrated in Western Japan.
Under the terms of the new deal, Nokia will roll out its energy-efficient AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions. These systems incorporate the advanced Habrok Massive MIMO radios and AirScale baseband equipment. Powered by Nokia’s proprietary ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, the solutions are engineered to provide exceptional performance, extended coverage, and increased capacity, all while maintaining outstanding energy efficiency.
The implementation also integrates Nokia’s AI-driven MantaRay solution, which enhances network management through sophisticated Self-Organizing Network capabilities. Mark Atkinson, Head of Radio Access Networks at Nokia, emphasized the significance of the expanded collaboration. He stated, “This deepened partnership with SoftBank underscores the robustness of our longstanding relationship. Our AI-infused solutions deliver unmatched performance alongside industry-leading energy efficiency, paving the way for the transition to Advanced-5G networks.”
Both Nokia and SoftBank hold founding memberships in the AI-RAN Alliance and are actively engaged in joint research and development efforts focused on AI-RAN and emerging 6G technologies. These collaborative initiatives encompass joint research projects, field trials, and the creation of a virtualized RAN platform. The two companies are already performing tests in Tokyo using the 7 GHz frequency band for 6G, employing Massive MIMO technology to explore future network capabilities.
Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President and CTO at SoftBank Corp., remarked, “Strengthening our alliance with Nokia enables us to construct a distinctive, high-quality 5G network enhanced by artificial intelligence. The upgraded infrastructure will boost operational efficiency, lower emissions, and offer our customers a markedly improved user experience.”
(Source: ITWire Australia)
