Nokia rolls out 5G software upgrade for 4G networks

NEW DELHI: Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia on Tuesday launched a software-based upgrade for its 4G/LTE radios which will enable them to be seamlessly migrated to 5G/NR.

"These features will have a high value to Nokia’s customers as they provide immediate support for approximately one million radios, reaching 3.1 million by the end of the year and over 5 million in 2021," said Nokia in a statement.

Nokia said the software-based upgrade will help it to streamline the process of refarming 4G/LTE spectrum into 5G/NR.

Though a majority of 5G/NR deployments to date have been performed with TDD cmWave and TDD mmWave, but the next wave of 5G/NR rollouts will be delivered by refarming existing FDD bands to 5G/NR.

The software-based upgrade will additionally serve advantages such as seamless deployment of 5G/NR FDD and avoiding disruptive site visits.

Nokia said the software-based upgrade solution will save the telecoms industry on potential costs and communication service providers (CSPs) will be able to upgrade their networks to 5G/NR on FDD with software.

“This is an important solution because it will help our customers, quickly and efficiently upgrade their existing LTE radios so that they are 5G ready saving them time and money,” said Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia.

Last week Nokia became the only major telecoms equipment maker to commit to adding open interfaces to its products.