News
US ‘un-carrier’ deploys enhanced radio access network technology to boost 5G network, expanding footprint, modernising cell sites and enhancing connectivity to additional subscribers across the country
T-Mobile US has undertaken a significant multi-year extension of its strategic partnership with Nokia to enhance and expand its 5G network coverage and capacity across the country.
T-Mobile claims its mobile infrastructure already reaches more than 98% of the US population, and regards its collaboration with Nokia as demonstrating its commitment to further extending 5G capabilities, advancing the capabilities of the network by deploying next-generation baseband and radio technologies.
The operator’s long-standing partner in RAN, Nokia says its advanced services and T-Mobile’s Challenger to Champion strategic initiatives have helped the provider become America’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network, covering more than 332 million people across two million square miles.
Under the terms of the expansion agreement, Nokia will supply T-Mobile with hardware, software, maintenance and support services. Specific technologies include the AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) portfolio, which includes its latest-generation Habrok Massive MIMO and Levante Ultra-Performance baseband offerings. These are powered by its ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, designed for energy efficiency, and will boost T-Mobile’s 5G network for maximum performance, efficiency and reliability. Nokia will also deploy its AI-powered MantaRay Self-Organising Networks (SON) and AutoPilot, another SON service for optimisation and automation.
Nokia also believes its collaboration can advance T-Mobile’s network evolution by using next-generation RAN architectures that it claims will enhance agility, scalability and operational efficiency. In addition, Nokia will continue to support T-Mobile’s artificial intelligence-based radio access network (AI-RAN) initiatives, including the ongoing technology partnership at T-Mobile’s AI-RAN Innovation Centre, launched in 2024.
The innovation centre aims to foster the development of new products that use 5G connectivity and T-Mobile partner technologies to enable next-generation offerings. It’s also dedicated to integrating AI into RAN to revolutionise network experiences and deliver stronger business outcomes.
The centre offers access to network including 5G, edge compute resources, network slicing and private network installations. There is also technical expertise and support from engineers who T-Mobile says are ready to help develop 5G services and integrate the latest in wireless capabilities.
Read more about 5G
- How 5G Standalone is changing the future of business: Recent deployments have shown what 5G Standalone networks can achieve, namely game-changing capabilities such as enhanced connectivity services, FWA, Massive IoT and private wireless networks.
- Europe ‘severely’ lags other major regions in 5G standalone: Research from network intelligence company shows interplay of earlier deployments, more diversified multi-band spectrum and greater willingness to invest in new use cases will drive 5G SA roll-outs at a faster pace.
- Mobile industry poised for wave of 5G: Global comms tech provider’s annual assessment of mobile industry shows network data traffic projected to grow almost 200% to the end of 2030, when there will be 6.3 billion global 5G subscriptions.
- Comms tech consortium begins XR trials: Collaboration between Ericsson, T-Mobile and Qualcomm looks to pioneer the next wave of 5G low latency operator services, beginning with supporting demanding mobile immersive experiences.
Explaining how he thinks the partnership will benefit the operator, T-Mobile president of technology Ulf Ewaldsson said: “T-Mobile’s nationwide standalone 5G network has solidified our global leadership by delivering tangible benefits to our customers. This new agreement with Nokia will further enhance our current network capabilities as we strengthen our journey supercharged with 5G Advanced, laying a robust foundation for future innovation.”
Nokia president and CEO Justin Hotard added: ‘This new agreement strengthens our deep partnership with T-Mobile US and extends their leadership in delivering next-generation connectivity across the US. By implementing Nokia’s latest AirScale RAN innovations, along with advanced virtualised and AI-RAN-based solutions, T-Mobile will unlock premium 5G performance for their customers. I’m excited to continue our partnership to shape the next chapter of mobile connectivity in the US.”
Read more on Mobile networks
- Nokia claims European 5G cloud RAN and standalone mmWave firstsBy: JoeO’Halloran
- Nokia hails Deutsche Telekom Open RAN, BT API winsBy: JoeO’Halloran
- NTT Docomo deploys energy-efficient multi-supplier Open RAN 5G networkBy: JoeO’Halloran
