Published in Mobiles

Nokia signs 5G deal with NTT DoCoMo.

by on19 January 2018


5G on the way by 2020 in Land of the Rising Sun


Former rubber boot maker Nokia has signed its first major deal to supply new 5G wireless radio base stations to Japanese telecom operator NTT DoCoMo.

NTT DoCoMo has half of Japan's mobile subscribers so the agreement is rather lucrative for Nokia, although no one is saying what it is worth.  The contract marks Nokia’s first sizeable deal for its flagship mobile base station equipment based on official global NR standards for 5G.The 5G standard was only finalised in December 2017.

The deal suggests DoCoMo starting its commercial 5G network service by 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympics, Nokia said. Initial installations are expected in metropolitan Tokyo with a national roll-out to follow in subsequent years.

Nokia, a major supplier to DoCoMo for 3G and 4G, has been working with the Japanese operator since at least 2014 on trials of 5G equipment, which promises far faster data rates, higher capacity and quicker response times.

The new equipment also promises to enable DoCoMo to provide new services for autonomous driving, industrial automation, and smarter homes by providing wireless links to millions even billions of wireless sensors. Nokia said it would work with DoCoMo to ensure a smooth transition from 4G networks.

Last modified on 19 January 2018
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