Nokia Solutions and Networks and China Mobile Research have expanded their partnership to further their cooperation on research and standardisation of advanced mobile broadband technologies in LTE as well as in 5G.
The agreement, originally signed in 2010, reflects their vision of 2020 and outlines key focus areas for future mobile networks. This will include joint research, standardisation, and prototype development activities in advanced technologies such as 5G, LTE deployment optimisation, cloud-based radio access network (C-RAN), the innovative “Nanocell” concept for next-generation small cell deployments, coexistence of 2G / 4G and core virtualisation.
“Significant reduction of the unit cost of bandwidth is the key to success of future mobile networks,” said Bill Huang, General Manager of CMRI.
NSN and CMRI have successfully driven cooperative research on TD technologies and standards. During the past three years, the parties jointly supported TD-LTE global market development, defined the innovative “Nanocell” concept for next-generation small cell deployments, and researched cloud-based RAN extensively.
The extended partnership follows the news that NSN was chosen by China Mobile to implement a significant share of its TD-LTE network, which will be the world’s largest LTE network based on the TD strain.
This selection cements NSN’s position as the leading non-Chinese vendor in the country’s highly competitive market. NSN received an 11% market share consistent with other non-Chinese vendors, with another low single digit share as a result of selling through resellers also selected by China Mobile.
Under the contract, NSN will deploy key radio network elements for China Mobile’s 1.9 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 2.3 GHz frequency bands, including its innovative Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Stations. The solution will cover new single-mode implementation of the TD-LTE network. In addition, NSN will deploy part of the network in TD-SCDMA / TD-LTE dual mode, supporting TD-SCDMA site software upgrade to the dual mode implementation.
