TL;DR:
- Nokia introduced Levante and Lodos, next-gen baseband capacity cards for ultra-performance in 4G/5G networks, with increased scalability and reduced energy consumption.
- Ponente, Nokia’s ultra-performance baseband control card, supports higher throughput capacity, energy efficiency, and seamless evolution to 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced.
- Nokia expands its radio portfolio with Pandion and Shikra, offering optimized remote radio heads and leading-edge small cells for enhanced network deployments.
- MantaRay, Nokia’s AI-powered network management portfolio, enables intelligent, efficient, and cognitive RAN operations with scalable solutions for network management, SON, RIC, and energy optimization.
Main AI News:
Nokia, a pioneering force in the telecommunications industry, has made a global announcement today, introducing a range of innovative products that will further elevate its renowned AirScale baseband portfolio. This revolutionary lineup seamlessly combines unparalleled performance and capacity with exceptional energy efficiency. Among the new offerings are two cutting-edge 5G-Advanced baseband capacity cards, aptly named Levante and Lodos. Additionally, Nokia presents Ponente, a game-changing ultra-performance baseband control card that boasts an unprecedented throughput capacity. These remarkable products derive their power from Nokia’s state-of-the-art ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) technology, enabling them to deliver industry-leading baseband cell capacity, connectivity, and processing capabilities.
Engineered with the future in mind, these baseband cards are meticulously optimized for 5G standalone architecture, seamlessly integrating into Nokia’s modular and highly scalable AirScale baseband solution. This innovative solution not only facilitates long-term network evolution but also guarantees investment protection for operators. Moreover, Nokia’s AirScale baseband is fully compliant with O-RAN standards, allowing for effortless deployment with both Nokia’s proprietary radio products and those of third-party providers. Anticipating the advent of future hybrid networks, Nokia ensures seamless compatibility with Cloud RAN technology. Excitingly, Levante, Lodos, and Ponente are set to undergo comprehensive trials later this year, with commercial shipments slated to commence in the first half of 2024.
Levante and Lodos: A Quantum Leap in Baseband Capacity
Introducing Levante, a remarkable 4G/5G capacity card that raises the bar in terms of performance. Levante not only doubles the number of supported Massive MIMO cells but also achieves an impressive 60 percent reduction in energy consumption. Furthermore, its exponential scalability empowers operators to configure site setups that are up to three times larger than before. In a similar vein, Nokia introduced Lodos to its baseband portfolio, a high-performance 4G/5G capacity card that offers enhanced scalability while reducing energy consumption by up to 30 percent.
Ponente: Empowering Ultra-Performance Baseband Control
Nokia’s forward-thinking vision comes to life with the introduction of Ponente, a groundbreaking 2G-5G control card that sets the standard for ultra-performance with unmatched energy efficiency. This visionary card not only supports heightened traffic growth but also boasts up to 100 percent higher throughput capacity, delivering high-speed site connectivity. Additionally, Ponente reduces energy consumption by an astounding 80 percent, making significant strides toward sustainable operations. Furthermore, Ponente ensures future-proof site evolution to 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced, while also streamlining spectrum refarming. Leveraging Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology, these cards prioritize security with hardware-processed security keys, providing superior protection compared to software-processed keys.
Expanding the Radio Portfolio: Pandion and Shikra
In a continued demonstration of their commitment to innovation, Nokia unveils Pandion, the latest generation of FDD remote radio heads, designed specifically for O-RAN, Cloud RAN, and purpose-built scenarios. Pandion effortlessly supports up to three FDD bands within a single, optimized form factor, revolutionizing network deployments. Complementing Nokia’s comprehensive portfolio, the company also presents Shikra, which represents a significant advancement in small-cell technology. With Shikra, Nokia delivers leading-edge small cells designed for both outdoor and indoor scenarios, catering to diverse network requirements.
MantaRay: Revolutionizing Network Management and Optimization
Nokia’s pioneering spirit remains unwavering with the introduction of MantaRay, a visionary portfolio that harnesses the immense power of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to revolutionize RAN operations. The MantaRay portfolio encompasses a range of innovative solutions, including MantaRay Network Management, which serves as Nokia’s future platform for Purpose-built RAN, Cloud RAN, and Core Network management. This scalable platform seamlessly adapts to the needs of businesses of all sizes, offering comprehensive network management capabilities.
Additionally, MantaRay SON (Self-Organizing Networks) employs advanced AI and cognitive capabilities to drive the transformation of mobile networks. Finally, MantaRay RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller) positions itself as a crucial enabler for RAN programmability, primed to shape the future of network evolution. Nokia also introduces MantaRay Energy, a groundbreaking solution that combines the company’s expertise in optimizing the energy consumption of radio access networks with the power of AI and ML.
Industry Experts Applaud Nokia’s Innovations
Rémy Pascal, Principal Analyst at Omdia specializing in Mobile Infrastructure, lauds Nokia’s latest additions to its modular AirScale baseband portfolio, highlighting their ability to future-proof networks and enable seamless capacity expansion. Furthermore, Pascal acknowledges the significant advancements in energy efficiency achieved through the incorporation of the new ReefShark baseband SoC and other hardware design enhancements. These improvements allow mobile operators to align with their sustainability commitments while delivering exceptional performance.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, expresses enthusiasm about the enhanced portfolio of next-generation Radio Access Network solutions. Uitto emphasizes the doubled performance and halved energy consumption delivered by Nokia’s groundbreaking baseband, enabling customers to achieve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets. With the AirScale baseband portfolio’s unmatched capacity and future-ready design, Nokia empowers operators to seamlessly manage exponential traffic growth. Furthermore, Nokia’s MantaRay solutions portfolio empowers customers to leverage the immense power of Artificial Intelligence in their mobile networks. Boasting O-RAN readiness and Cloud RAN compatibility, these solutions lay the groundwork for the long-term evolution to 5G-Advanced and beyond.
Conclusion:
Nokia’s launch of its groundbreaking AirScale baseband solutions, infused with Artificial Intelligence capabilities, is set to revolutionize the mobile network market. With Levante and Lodos, operators can achieve unparalleled performance, scalability, and energy efficiency in their 4G/5G networks. Ponente’s advanced capabilities not only enhance throughput and energy efficiency but also ensure future-proof evolution to next-generation technologies.
Furthermore, the expansion of Nokia’s radio portfolio with Pandion and Shikra demonstrates their commitment to addressing diverse network scenarios. Finally, the MantaRay portfolio empowers operators with AI-driven network management and optimization solutions, setting a new standard for intelligent, efficient, and sustainable RAN operations. Nokia’s innovations position them as a frontrunner in the market, providing operators with the tools they need to meet growing network demands and deliver exceptional user experiences.
