Nokia has expanded its partnership with SoftBank Corp with a new deal to supply advanced 4G and 5G radio access equipment in Japan. The agreement encompasses the modernization of existing network infrastructure and the expansion of 5G standalone coverage using Nokia’s AirScale portfolio. The deployment will take place across Western Japan.
Under this agreement, Nokia will deploy its AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions, featuring the Habrok Massive MIMO radios and AirScale baseband equipment. These solutions will deliver ultra-high performance, coverage, and capacity while maintaining energy efficiency. The implementation includes Nokia’s MantaRay solution for network management and Self-Organizing Network capabilities.
“This expanded collaboration with SoftBank demonstrates the strength of our long-standing partnership,” commented Mark Atkinson, Head of Radio Access Networks at Nokia. “Our solutions are infused with AI capabilities and provide unparalleled performance with industry-leading energy efficiency, supporting the evolution toward Advanced-5G networks.”
Nokia and SoftBank are founding members of the AI-RAN Alliance and are also collaborating on research and development initiatives in AI-RAN and 6G technologies. These initiatives include joint research, field trials, and the development of a virtualized RAN platform. Both companies are conducting tests in the 7 GHz frequency band for 6G in Tokyo using Massive MIMO technology.
Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President and CTO at SoftBank Corp., commented, “This enhanced partnership with Nokia helps us to build a unique and high-quality 5G network powered by AI. The upgraded network will improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and deliver a superior user experience to our customers.”
