Nokia has confirmed the continuation of its strategic collaboration with Vodafone across Europe and Africa, extending its role in Vodafone’s five-year radio access network (RAN) investment programme. This latest agreement builds on Nokia’s recent RAN agreement with VodafoneThree, part of the largest privately funded telecommunications infrastructure project in Europe. The partnership is designed to support Vodafone’s ambition to deliver next-generation connectivity, helping to create a more inclusive and sustainable digital society across its operating regions.
Under the extended RAN agreement, Nokia will supply equipment from its industry-leading, energy-efficient AirScale Radio Access Network portfolio. This includes Massive MIMO radios, baseband units, and remote radio head (RRH) solutions powered by Nokia’s ReefShark System-on-Chip technology. The rollout will mark the first deployment of a 5G Dual-Band Massive MIMO Radio in Africa. These solutions will boost network performance, coverage, and capacity, while also cutting energy use and saving space, helping Vodafone deliver a smoother experience to its customers.
Beyond the hardware, Nokia will bring in MantaRay NM, an AI-powered network management system. It gives a single view of the network, making monitoring and management easier. Nokia will continue working closely with Vodacom Group and Safaricom Group in key African markets, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa, supporting the expansion and modernization of their networks.
Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, said: “Today’s networks need new levels of performance, trust and resilience. We are delighted to extend our partnership with Vodafone, Vodacom, and its affiliates to build future-proof 5G standalone networks across Europe and Africa. This agreement underscores the strength of our industry-leading connectivity solutions, which help our customers respond to the future demands as the AI supercycle accelerates.”