NTT Docomo asserted a leading status in putting Nokia equipment to work in an open-RAN configuration after deploying a base station capable of integrating with infrastructure from multiple vendors.

The Japanese operator intends to showcase the capabilities of the O-RAN Alliance-compatible Nokia equipment at an event tomorrow (12 September), employing the vendor’s latest Massive MIMO network optimisation technology to bolster access during hours of peak demand.

Docomo stated the Nokia base station equipment is part of the vendor’s broader AirScale range, easing the path to evolving beyond the 4G and 5G connectivity technologies the kit currently delivers.

It expects the equipment to increase the number of devices it can connect at a lower rate of power consumption than existing equipment.

Docomo expects the deployment to ultimately set a blueprint for rollouts in other high-traffic scenarios including urban areas, stadia and event venues.

Research company SNS Insider recently noted open RAN continues to attract interest from operators keen to employ the flexibility the approach offers, and stated AI and machine learning are adding to the network optimisation capabilities.

SNS Insider expects the value of the AI-native open RAN segment to hit $24.5 billion in 2035 compared with $3.2 billion in 2025.

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Telenor subsidiary KNL continued to gain traction for a military high-frequency (HF) communication system from Nordic nations, sealing its third deal through a tie-up with Denmark.

An outline deal opens the way for the Danish Ministry of Defence to buy KNL’s HF radio equipment. The set-up is attracting interest among members of the Nordic Defence Cooperation, a programme established to streamline the procurement process which is open to all nations in the region.

KNL already agreed deals with Sweden and Finland, which the head of Telenor Corporate Development Portfolio Dan Ouchterlony said are a “strong foundation for Nordic cooperation” on the subsidiary’s radio system.

Adding Denmark “reflects a genuine and growing need for secure, independent communication across the region”, Ouchterlony explained.

HF operates in the 3MHz to 30MHz frequency range, which KNL states is well-suited to military operations due to its beyond-line-of-sight capability and resilience in the face of “jamming and other electromagnetic interference”.

The frequency enables coverage across thousands of kilometres in a set-up which does not require fixed or satellite connectivity, another characteristic KNL believes makes it “uniquely valuable” for military purposes along with maritime and critical communication uses.

KNL employs cognitive radio functionality to provide dynamic frequency allocation and boost the way spectrum is used.

CEO Toni Linden said the addition of Denmark is a “strong endorsement” of KNL’s technology.

The company has publicly announced a trio of orders worth around €23.5 million under its existing arrangements with Sweden and Finland.

It is also among several businesses approved to bid for tactical communications system projects in the UK.

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