Nokia is bringing advanced 5G Dual-Band massive MIMO technology to Vodafone, Vodacom, and Safaricom networks in Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa.
Advanced 5G Dual-Band Massive MIMO technology combines two key innovations, the massive MIMO, which uses many antennas to boost network speed, reliability, and capacity, and dual-band capability, allowing a single radio to operate on two frequency bands simultaneously. The tech enables wider coverage and faster data rates while reducing energy consumption and equipment costs.
Under Vodafone’s five-year radio access network (RAN) investment programme in Europe and Africa, Nokia will support Vodafone’s ambitions to deliver next-generation connectivity across Europe and Africa for an inclusive and sustainable digital society.
According to Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, “Today’s networks need new levels of performance, trust and resilience. We are delighted to extend our partnership with Vodafone, Vodacom, and its affiliates to build future-proof 5G standalone networks across Europe and Africa. This agreement underscores the strength of our industry-leading connectivity solutions, which help our customers respond to the future demands as the AI supercycle accelerates.”
Under the deal, Nokia will supply equipment from its energy-efficient AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) portfolio, including Massive MIMO radios, baseband, and remote radio head (RRH) solutions powered by Nokia’s energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, boosting the performance, efficiency, and reliability of the network.
The deal also includes the first deployment of a 5G Dual-Band Massive MIMO Radio in Africa. These solutions will enhance the coverage, performance, and capacity of Vodafone’s network, delivering a superior customer experience in combination with reduced space and energy requirements.
Nokia will also deploy MantaRay NM, an AI-powered intelligent network management system offering a consolidated network view for optimal monitoring and management. Nokia continues to partner with Vodacom Group and Safaricom Group in markets including Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa.
