Ecuadorian operator CNT (Corporación Nacional de Telecommunicaciones) has chosen Nokia to help it deploy the country’s first 5G network.
Under the agreement, Nokia will extensively modernise CNT’s existing 3G & LTE infrastructure and install a non-standalone (NSA) 5G network. The deployment has already commenced.
Over 500 sites across the provinces of Bolivar, Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona Santiago and Santa Elena have been modernised for a seamless migration to 5G services. The first NSA 5G sites will be deployed in the cities of Guayaquil and Manta, enabling CNT to plan its 5G services.
The deal will see Nokia provide equipment from its comprehensive AirScale portfolio, allowing CNT to deliver market-leading 5G experiences to subscribers with ultra-low latency, connectivity and capacity as well as reducing complexity and increasing cost efficiencies.
Nokia is also supplying its massive MIMO Adaptive Antenna and Micro Remote Radio Head (RRH) solutions to meet the demand for capacity and reliable coverage. CNT has deployed Nokia’s AirFrame data centre solution to support cloud-based applications necessary for future telco and IT networking.
CNT is the biggest fixed telecom operator in Ecuador and also provides mobile services which it claims offer the highest speeds in the market. Nokia has had a long-standing partnership with CNT for over twenty-five years and supplies solutions for mobile radio access network, IP/Optical and Fixed networks.
Martha Moncayo Guerrero, CEO CNT EP, said: “Being the only public telco company in Ecuador and market leaders in offering hyper-converged services, we are prepared for the deployment of 5G networks to provide a new future for Ecuadorians. With Nokia, we will be able to present the benefits of this fifth generation technology and show their impact on healthcare, education and industry, for the social and productive development of the country.”
