Nokia News

New vendor pack picked for fresh, Europe-based 4G/5G testing round. Open RAN to meld with UNICA as network cloud/virtualisation efforts spread out. O‑RAN Alliance enters picture. No word on timing for open RAN go‑to-market.

Network & Infrastructure
Government herds operators into rural sharing pen
March 2020 deadline met, saving government face. Unknown outcome from pushback against EE fee proposal.
Venturing & Investments
Telefónica-backed startup and venturing ecosystems, March 2020
Round‑up of recent activity among Telefónica-backed startup and venturing ecosystems.
Network & Infrastructure
Juniper ties with NEC to extend Fusión to Chile
Two key Telefónica partners working to upgrade core infrastructure using a tried and tested European model. Plans said to be 5G‑ready, although Chile still some way from launching the next‑generation network technology.
Enterprise (B2B)
O2 Germany trumpets Aldi contract
O2 Germany trumpeted a major contract with German supermarket chain Aldi.
Network & Infrastructure
O2 Germany opens Berlin 5G campus network
O2 Germany officially opened its 5G campus network in Berlin and invited all and sundry to go along and experience 5G services.
Network & Infrastructure
Ericsson leads, Huawei stumbles, TIP surges: Vodafone 5G Momentum Index, March 2020
Vodafone’s 5G ecosystem sees drastic changes, Ericsson holds its lead. Nokia slips into dogfight with Huawei, TIP and Samsung. Mavenir heads challenging pack with ZTE on its heels, pursued by Qualcomm, Parallel Wireless, Altiostar, and several others.
Suppliers & SCM
BT adds Dell platform to Dynamic Network Services
Dell EMC technology set to open up the range of Global’s Dynamic Network Services portfolio. More flexible CPE positioned as a way to expand IoT and edge technology use cases at diverse customer sites.
Events
Vodafone postpones Arch Summit 2020 on coronavirus fears
Luxembourg get-together moved back to October 2020.
Network & Infrastructure
O2 Germany heralds start of 5G era, rules in Huawei
O2 Germany sees next decade as a growth phase following years of network build and integration. Outlines plans to start building 5G in five cities during 2020. Huawei and Nokia selected to build the 5G RAN, although the China‑based vendor remains a political hot potato in Germany.
Public Affairs
O2 dodges bullet as Huawei capped
Industry looks set to be given three years to firewall Huawei, with potential 35% cap on High Risk Vendors. O2’s longstanding links with Ericsson and Nokia mean operating business avoids costly replacement programmes that major rivals must implement. Security officials position the decision as largely a clarification and formalisation ...
Network & Infrastructure
O2 UK hits 5G 2020 target
Telefónica UK (O2 UK) achieved its target of reaching 20 5G locations by 2020, despite its comparatively slow start on launching commercial 5G in the country.
Suppliers & SCM
Huawei crisis: leak points to Deutsche Telekom Group exposure fears
Likely Huawei restrictions reportedly prompt DT to turn back to Nokia as 5G player. Finnish vendor said to have come under pressure for quality improvements.
Public Affairs
BT carries burden as Huawei compromise reached
Industry looks set to be given three years to firewall Huawei, with potential 35% cap on High Risk Vendors. Security officials position the decision as largely a clarification and formalisation of current restrictions, but potentially stringent caps will spark immediate change in industry security and procurement strategies. UK capex ...
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Hutchison Australia taps Nokia for 5G launch
Nokia lands five‑year deal in Australia’s post-Huawei landscape. Berroeta lauds the Finnish vendor’s “advanced 5G roadmap”. 5G launch slated by 30 June 2020.
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Idea preps 5G trials
Project comes with questions growing over whether VfI will live to see 5G era, however.
Enterprise (B2B)
Cosmote throws its 4G, 5G radio lot in with Ericsson
NatCo reportedly selects Swedish vendor as 4G/5G single supplier. Nokia loses out; Huawei hopes of sharing Ericsson contract apparently dashed.
Network & Infrastructure
T-Mobile US downplays DSS in sideswipe at AT&T, Verizon
NatCo claims no pressing need to deploy DSS tech for 5G. Asserts AT&T and Verizon reliance on DSS betrays weakness. Longstanding partners Ericsson and Nokia make DSS waves.
Partnerships & Alliances
O2 Germany links with Nokia for 5G campus network
Telefónica Deutschland (O2 Germany) flagged the opening of a 5G campus network in Berlin in collaboration with network partner Nokia, which is providing the small cell‑based indoor network for the project.
Network & Infrastructure
BT first up as MSP for Microsoft-Nokia tie-up
US and Finnish suppliers club together on cloud and SD-WAN. Azure‑Nuage combo could provide a more compelling alternative to Cisco in the BT Dynamic Network Services portfolio. BT Global wheels out IXOM as customer of the integrated solution.
Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone Idea rallies the supplier troops
Mavenir, Nokia, Optiva, Red Hat, and TCS engaged via integration plan. CTO reasserts June 2020 deadline for accelerated programme.
Products & Services
O2 UK joins 5G party
O2 a 5G latecomer, but aiming to get up to pace with the market by the end of 2019. 5G launch features Huawei RAN in high‑profile sites, despite operator claims that Ericsson and Nokia are principal partners.