Australian telco Optus will boost the coverage and performance of its 5G regional network with new generation RAN hardware and solutions from Nokia.
Nokia says it will boost Optus’s 5G network capabilities and modernise sites in regional parts of Australia, with deployment of its latest generation of Habrok Massive MIMO radios and Levante ultra-performance baseband solutions from its AirScale portfolio.
The strategic upgrade follows Optus's Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) RAN-sharing agreement with TPG Telecom last year.
According to Nokia, its ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) technology powers the Habrok 32 massive MIMO radios, which produce a 33% boost in output power, while significantly reducing power consumption.
"These flexible, easy-to-install solutions are ideal for new deployments and site modernisation," says Nokia.
"Habrok 32 enables Optus to maximise the use of shared spectrum assets in the RAN-sharing areas, enabling higher data rates and enhanced coverage.
"Optus will also be able to take advantage of Habrok’s ‘Extreme Deep Sleep’ power-saving mode, which switches off unused resources and reduces radio cell energy consumption."
{loadposition stan}
Under the new deployment, Optus will also install Levante, Nokia’s AI-ready 5G baseband capacity card, and Ponente its baseband control card, to support increased traffic growth.
“Our deployment with Nokia’s new Habrok massive MIMO radio and new Levante and Ponente baseband modules marks an important step in meeting the growing demand from our customers for enhanced connectivity in Australia’s regional areas,” said Kent Wu, Optus Vice President Access Network Strategy, Planning and Quality at Optus.
"We know connectivity is vital for our customers so they can stream their favourite content, download TV shows and movies, or upload pictures and videos onto their favourite social media platforms.
"The Habrok 32 massive MIMO radios bring the right balance of performance and cost efficiency for upgrading our 5G network to elevate consumer experiences and drive business productivity.
"Through this partnership, we are expanding our reach for customers and bringing them high-speed, reliable connectivity to more customers, communities, and enterprises."
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia said the introduction of Nokia’s latest solutions in the deal strengthens the vendor's long-term partnership with Optus
"Our AirScale Massive MIMO radios and ultra-performance baseband solutions enable fast network modernisation, providing a boost in 5G coverage and speeds for enhanced user experience while maximising spectral efficiency," said Uitto.
"We are also helping Optus drive network sustainability through software innovations such as the extreme deep sleep energy-saving mode and the energy-saving capabilities enabled by Nokia’s ReefShark SoC chipset.”