Highlights:

  • Nokia will offer 4G and 5G equipment to support high and low-frequency bands.
  • The partnership will support Thailand 4.0 digitization initiative.

Networking partners

Nokia publicized that it has made a three-year deal with Thailand’s dtac. dtac, a Thai mobile operator and part of Telenor Group, chose Nokia as its first 5G RAN partner for covering the North Eastern and North regions of Thailand. Nokia plays an essential role in the deal by ensuring that dtac’s network performance is completely 5G-ready and enables a faster rollout of new 5G services as demand rises.

5G connectivity

Nokia is in Thailand for over 30 years with the deployment of 2G, 3G, and 4G networks and is now ready to offer 5G connectivity. Further, this will help the “Thailand 4.0” digitization initiative. The deployment is anticipated to start later this year, with completion expected by 2022.

The agreement that is an extension of Nokia’s recent collaboration with dtac will see a deployment boost of 5G on low-band spectrum (700 to 900 MHz) and high capacity mmWave technology (26 GHz). It will also see enhancements of the present networks using 2,300 MHz, 2,100 MHz, and 1,800 MHz spectrum. Thus, the combination is anticipated to offer superior coverage and faster data speeds to subscribers.

5G solution

Nokia will offer its AirScale Radio Access solutions for 4G and 5G networks to enhance overall network performance while allowing dtac to deliver a 5G experience with extreme capacity and ultra-low latency.

AirScale Radio Access is an industry-first commercial 5G solution that will enable operators to capitalize early on 5G. The deal comprises digital deployment for faster time to market and optimization services.

Network management system

dtac will also utilize Nokia Software’s NetAct Cloud network management system that delivers configuration, cloud-agnostic, administration, software management, and best-in-class tools for troubleshooting.

Nokia is an established partner of dtac, and in the past, it offered its first commercial 4G TDD (Time Division Duplex) network in Thailand. Nokia has also offered solutions from its IP/Optical portfolio to strengthen its network involving a software-defined network (SDN)-ready IP/Optical network.

Expert views

Prathet Tankuranun, Chief Technology Officer at dtac, commented: “We never stop improving our network and delivering better data experiences across a broad range of devices. Our current deployment leverages 5G-enhanced mobile broadband and 5G-ready Massive MIMO technology to bring improved coverage and higher data capacity to our customers nationwide.”

Tommi Uitto, President, Mobile Networks and Member of Group Leadership Team at Nokia, commented: “We are delighted to extend our long-standing partnership with dtac in Thailand and be the first vendor to partner with the operator in the 5G era. Our AirScale portfolio offers a clear migration path to 5G and we look forward to supporting dtac with its efforts to deliver compelling 5G experiences to subscribers.”