Nokia and Telefónica Germany set the 5G network direction

Nokia and Telefónica Germany have signed a five-year agreement that will run until 2030 and focus on modernising the operator’s nationwide radio access network. The arrangement extends an existing relationship between the companies and introduces a set of platforms that move Telefónica Germany toward a Cloud RAN model across its 5G footprint.

The deal covers deployments, upgrades and network operations support and includes Nokia portfolio elements that focus on both existing network layers and emerging virtualised ones.

Matthias Sauder, Director Networks, O2 Telefónica, introduced the announcement by stating that: “Nokia has been a trusted partner in our journey to deliver the best network experience for our customers.

"This contract extension reflects our shared commitment to advancing 5G technology and creating a more connected and sustainable Germany.”

He further maintains that the extension of the contract serves as a mechanism to sustain cooperation across technology domains that Telefónica Germany seeks to evolve.

Nokia Cloud RAN and AirScale deployments across Telefónica Germany

The new contract features a broad supply of Nokia AirScale Radio Access Network products. They include the AirScale baseband systems and the Habrok Massive MIMO radios designed for the n78 spectrum band.

The agreement spans the Pandion multi-band remote radio heads and AirScale small cell units intended to extend coverage into indoor and dense environments.

Nokia Cloud RAN technology forms a central part of the long-term plan. Telefónica Germany has chosen to deploy the vendor’s Cloud RAN systems alongside its purpose-built RAN as part of a move toward a virtualised architecture in which radio functions operate on cloud hardware.

The arrangement establishes a framework for the gradual adoption of Cloud RAN across the operator’s sites and enables interoperability across the physical and virtual radio network layers.

The scope extends to the deployment of Nokia’s Interleaved Passive Active Antenna (IPAA+), which, by design, integrates passive and active modules into a single unit.

Telefónica Germany will introduce IPAA+ to streamline site planning processes and to reduce complexity across rollout phases. Nokia will supply maintenance and network optimisation services that support the day-to-day operation of the network throughout the contract period.

Justin Hotard, President and CEO, Nokia, comments on the continued partnership: “We’re proud to extend our partnership with Telefónica Germany as we help them strengthen their performance, efficiency and customer experience across their 5G network.

With Nokia’s anyRAN software, AirScale baseband and autonomous network platforms, Telefónica is positioned for long-term competitiveness as the AI supercycle takes hold.”

Justin places the announcement in the context of the company’s aim to broaden Cloud RAN activity in established mobile markets.

AirScale, Habrok and Pandion in Telefónica Germany operational plans

Telefónica Germany will integrate the Nokia AirScale platform across its sites, including software and hardware that support both 4G and 5G. The approach keeps the operator’s networks aligned with its 5G service expansion timeline through the decade.

AirScale basebands will function as the core processing layer and the Habrok Massive MIMO radios for n78 will add further mid-band capacity options. Pandion remote radio heads will operate on multiple bands to consolidate equipment at locations where spectrum diversity is required.

Deployment of Nokia’s small cell products will be in locations that require higher site density. Telefónica Germany continues to use small cells in retail areas, office districts and transport hubs and the extension of the partnership formalises Nokia’s role in these areas through 2030.

It is supported by the IPAA+ antenna system, which, by design, enables active radios at sites with limited space and where re-engineering is necessary.

The deployments are part of Telefónica Germany aim to maintain its 5G rollout schedule while establishing an architecture ready for the incremental use of AI tools.

The operator and Nokia have aligned the contract to future network models in which radio layers, baseband functions and transport elements can operate under unified orchestration platforms.

Nokia MantaRay NM and Telefónica Germany AI development targets

Telefónica Germany will continue deploying Nokia’s MantaRay NM across its network.

The management platform, which supports both purpose-built and Cloud RAN configurations, runs across physical and virtual network functions and uses AI-based decision mechanisms to manage performance, alarms and operational tasks.

MantaRay NM operates across radio, core and transport domains and will serve as the single interface for the operator’s network operations teams.

Both companies describe the evolution of the network management architecture as a first phase toward achieving automation level 4. The target will rely on orchestration systems that can sequence actions across multiple domains without manual intervention.

Nokia and Telefónica Germany will use MantaRay NM as a foundation for these developments and will introduce AI-generated insights into the operating processes that govern the RAN.

Matthias notes that the network modernisation plan reflects the joint intention to maintain a consistent direction across technology areas as Telefónica Germany phases in Cloud RAN. He highlights that the extended cooperation addresses long-term operational requirements and Radio Access Network redevelopment.

Justin adds that the partnership provides Telefónica Germany with access to the anyRAN software framework and AirScale processing layers. He confirms that Nokia sees these platforms as the basis for customer-driven network models in the period leading up to 2030.