In This Article:
Press Release
Nokia deploys energy-efficient multi-supplier O-RAN 5G network with NTT DOCOMO
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Nokia’s high-performance Open RAN compliant AirScale portfolio deployed in NTT DOCOMO’s commercial multi-vendor network; Integrated with third-party Radio suppliers
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Nokia’s energy-efficient AirScale portfolio to support NTT DOCOMO’s sustainability objectives
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Successful deployment highlights the maturity and performance of Nokia’s O-RAN CU/DU; Confirms Nokia’s industry leadership through its anyRAN approach which offers mobile operators more choice in building 5G networks
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Both companies committed to building open and interoperable networks
20 November 2023
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that Japanese mobile operator, NTT DOCOMO (DOCOMO) is deploying Nokia’s Open RAN (O-RAN) compliant 5G AirScale baseband solution including Centralized Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) software in its commercial network nationwide. Nokia’s high-capacity, high-performance solution enables DOCOMO to pursue a multi-supplier strategy, giving them the option to connect with Open Radio Units (RU) delivered by other suppliers. Nokia’s low-power, energy-efficient AirScale portfolio will also help DOCOMO drive significant sustainability benefits as well as a lower total cost of ownership.
Nokia will deploy its fully O-RAN-compliant 5G AirScale baseband solution in DOCOMO’s commercial network. Nokia’s energy-efficient solution powered by the latest ReefShark System-on-Chip technology will also deliver sustainability benefits as well as operational cost savings to DOCOMO due to its small footprint and low power consumption. Nokia and DOCOMO are long-term supporters of open networks and have invested heavily to advance the goals of the O-RAN alliance to build open, interoperable, and responsive networks that fulfill the requirements of enterprise and consumer demand in the 5G era.
Nokia has a long history of partnering with DOCOMO as the RAN provider for its 3G network as well as helping the operator establish a multi-supplier 4G strategy. Both companies are taking their strategic collaboration and partnership to the next level with the deployment of the O-RAN-compliant 5G network. DOCOMO is committed to supporting global telecom operators in their adoption of Open RAN to make Open RAN a commercial reality.
This partnership with DOCOMO is a perfect example of Nokia’s anyRAN approach, which aims to build future-ready radio access networks together with an ecosystem of industry partners to unlock collaborative advantage. Nokia anyRAN is designed to give mobile operators and enterprises more flexibility in building networks that combine purpose-built, hybrid, and Cloud RAN environments with common software. For Open RAN, Nokia develops the required Open Fronthaul features on top of its high-performance RAN software, ensuring co-existence and feature performance parity with purpose-built RAN. Nokia baseband solutions can be combined with both Nokia and third-party radios. For operators, this ensures a smooth evolution path towards hybrid, Cloud RAN, and O-RAN deployments.