Nokia continues to prioritize 5G, demonstrated by several recent announcements: the introduction of an industry-first Edge Cloud data center solution tailored for 5G and a collaboration with NTT DOCOMO on 5G technology demonstrations.
Nokia has developed the AirFrame open edge cloud infrastructure specifically for the 5G era. As 5G enables advanced applications—such as AR/VR streaming and real-time industrial automation—operators need compact, efficient edge infrastructure to meet strict latency and throughput requirements. Nokia’s AirFrame portfolio has been expanded with the ultra-compact Nokia AirFrame Open Edge server. The full AirFrame data center lineup is designed to help operators optimize network resources and intelligently distribute workloads across the network based on traffic type, latency, and throughput needs.
The AirFrame Open Edge server is built for deployment at existing base station locations and emphasizes a small physical footprint: 133.5 x 444 x 430 mm (H x W x D). Nokia plans to begin shipping the AirFrame Open Edge server in Q3 2018.
The hardware is paired with a real-time, OPNFV-compatible OpenStack distribution intended for small, distributed data centers, delivering the performance and low latency required at the network edge. Nokia also offers cloud services and Cloud Collaboration Hubs to help operators plan and launch edge cloud deployments effectively.
According to Nokia, the AirFrame open edge cloud infrastructure targets “stringent and diverse low-latency data processing demands of Cloud RAN and advanced applications for consumers and industries,” addressing the needs of both telecom infrastructure and emerging enterprise use cases.
In parallel, Nokia and NTT DOCOMO are set to showcase 5G innovations at the Brooklyn 5G Summit. The two companies are collaborating to develop technologies that support enhanced mobile broadband experiences in 5G, enabling advanced applications like AR/VR video for consumers and industrial users. Delivering those experiences depends on ultra-responsive networks with large wireless capacity in dense deployments.
At the summit, Nokia and NTT DOCOMO will present two technology demonstrations designed to address these challenges. The first demo features a compact mmWave phased-array antenna system developed by Nokia Bell Labs. The system is scalable to 256 elements using an RFIC solution operating in the 90 GHz band to achieve multi-gigabit-per-second throughput. Nokia notes this test will illustrate how 5G New Radio (5G NR) enhancements at higher mmWave bands can manage radio complexity and support more antenna beams while enabling wider bandwidth.
The second demonstration will focus on dynamic offloading and relocation within a 5G core to enable the low-latency networks required for time-critical mobile broadband applications, including future automation and augmented reality use cases.
Further trials of these technologies will continue at NTT DOCOMO’s research laboratory in Japan.
Separately, data and analytics firm GlobalData has observed that satellite operators are well positioned to play a major role in the evolving 5G ecosystem by complementing terrestrial mobile networks with next-generation satellite capabilities, enhancing coverage and resilience for future services.
Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss topics like these and share real-world use cases? Consider attending industry expos such as IoT Tech Expo, Blockchain Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo World Series events in locations including Silicon Valley, London, and Amsterdam to explore the future of enterprise technology.