Nokia 5G Base Stations for Japan

Nokia signs first major deal to supply 5G wireless radio base stations to NTT DoCoMo.

21:31 22 January 2018

On Friday, Finland’s Nokia confirmed that it has signed its first major deal to supply 5G wireless radio base stations to NTT DoCoMo, the Japanese telecom operator that boasts nearly half of the country’s mobile subscribers.

 

The contract, which details are yet to be revealed, is Nokia’s first sizeable deal for its flagship mobile base station equipment based on official global New Radio (NR) standards for the fifth generation of wireless networks. The standards were finalised only in December 2017.

 

The deal may allow DoCoMo to deliver commercial 5G network service in time for the Tokyo Olympics, which is scheduled on 2020. The installation is expected to start in greater metropolitan Tokyo with a national rollout to follow in subsequent years. 

 

The two giant firms have been working since 2014 on trials of 5G equipment to provide far faster data rates, greater capacity and quicker response time. The technology can be used to provide services for autonomous driving, industrial automation and smart homes.

 

Nokia has confirmed that it will work with DoCoMo to ensure a smooth transition from existing 4G networks.