Japanese mobile network operator NTT Docomo has kicked off the commercial operation of Nokia's latest base station equipment, which is designed for a multi-vendor Open RAN setup.
According to NTT Docomo, the operator is the first in the world to deploy Nokia's latest kit, which has been configured to meet Open RAN standards.
How real is Open RAN?
Operators are keen to point out new technology, but not everyone is convinced that Open RAN has fully arrived
The telco notes that the wireless equipment is able to connect with equipment from different vendors, as is the premise of Open RAN networks.
The kit is loaded with two software packages - Levante, which is responsible for data processing, and Ponente, which is for control processing.
Nokia's latest base station equipment was installed at the recent Joso Kinugawa Fireworks Festival in Japan over the weekend.
NTT Docomo previously signed an Open RAN agreement with Nokia back in 2023 to deploy the vendor's Open RAN 5G AirScale baseband kit for its commercial network. A separate agreement between the two companies was signed last year for the deployment of Nokia's autonomous MantaRay SON (self-organizing networks) solution, as covered by DCD sister publication SDx Central at the time.
The latest deployment of Nokia's kit supports both 4G and 5G connectivity and incorporates Nokia’s Dual Boost massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, which is designed to improve connection quality in the event of peak traffic.
This equipment is set to support a greater number of radio units and consume less power than the Japanese operator's existing equipment.
"This will improve the operational efficiency and reduce costs of the communication network, contributing to the construction of a sustainable network," said NTT Docomo.
Providing further details about the installation of Nokia's latest base station kit, the device has been installed on a mobile base station vehicle and combined with Nokia's latest wireless network optimization technology for Massive MIMO, "Dual Boost," to improve communication quality during peak hours.
NTT Docomo said it plans to expand the deployment of this equipment nationwide to venues such as sports stadiums in the future, while adding that the carrier will continue to work with Nokia on Open RAN into the 6G era.
Comments