Movistar Chile’s commercial 5G network is to launch with the help of Nokia technology, according to a recent announcement from the multinational telecommunications, information technology and consumer electronics company.
Telefónica’s Latin America brand has chosen Nokia to provide equipment from its AirScale portfolio to launch the operator’s 5G network in the country. In addition to enabling 5G services for Movistar customers, Nokia says it will upgrade Movistar’s 4G and 4G+ networks to strengthen the critical network backbone across Chile’s key markets.
The upgraded network, which will operate across Movistar’s recently won spectrum in Chile’s 5G auction in the 3.5GHz band, will leverage Nokia’s AirScale Radio Access portfolio to deliver ultra-low latency, huge connectivity and extreme capacity, says Nokia, offering both consumers and small-to-medium-sized business a path to 5G in Chile for the first time.
Nokia’s AirScale portfolio can be seamlessly upgraded from 4G/LTE to 5G/NR via a software-based upgrade.
This high-speed mobile technology will be supported by Movistar Chile's fibre optics, which will allow the different mobile antennas deployed in cities to be interconnected.
Chile is the first country in Latin America to have a 5G auction. Movistar Chile acquired 50 MHz in the 3.5GHz band, which will support enhanced mobile broadband services in Chile. Telefónica Hispanoamérica says it is evaluating the right circumstances for deployment in each market.
