Nokia has revealed that Japan’s leading mobile operator by subscriptions, NTT DOCOMO, is deploying its Open RAN (O-RAN) compliant 5G AirScale baseband solution, including Centralised Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) software in its commercial network nationwide. ‘Nokia’s high-capacity, high-performance solution enables DOCOMO to pursue a multi-supplier strategy, giving them the option to connect with Open Radio Units (RU) delivered by other suppliers. Nokia’s low-power, energy-efficient AirScale portfolio will also help DOCOMO drive significant sustainability benefits as well as a lower total cost of ownership,’ the press release said.

Commenting on the development, Masafumi Masuda, General Manager of Radio Access Network Technology Promotion Office, NTT DOCOMO, said: ‘Nokia’s O-RAN compatible AirScale 5G Baseband solution is … capable of being connected to any O-RUs on NTT DOCOMO’s 5G commercial network. Its high performance and low power consumption will also reduce our operational costs and support our sustainability goals.’