Nokia Strengthens Vodafone Collaboration with Next-Generation RAN Technologies
Nokia has announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Vodafone across Europe and Africa, reinforcing its position as a key technology partner in Vodafone’s five-year radio access network (RAN) investment programme.
The renewed agreement builds on Nokia’s recent RAN deal with Vodafone Three, part of one of the largest privately funded telecommunications infrastructure projects in Europe. This move aligns with Vodafone’s mission to deliver next-generation connectivity that fosters an inclusive and sustainable digital society across both regions.
Expanding 5G Infrastructure with Energy-Efficient AirScale RAN
Under the extended collaboration, Nokia will supply cutting-edge equipment from its AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) portfolio. This includes:
- Massive MIMO radios for enhanced capacity and coverage.
- Baseband and remote radio head (RRH) solutions powered by ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) technology.
These technologies promise to boost network performance, efficiency, and reliability, helping Vodafone meet the growing data demands of the AI-driven era.
In a major milestone, the partnership also includes Africa’s first deployment of a 5G Dual-Band Massive MIMO Radio, underscoring Nokia’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation across the continent.
The advanced RAN solutions will not only enhance customer experience through faster speeds and better coverage but also reduce energy consumption and site footprint, supporting Vodafone’s sustainability goals.
AI-Driven Network Management with MantaRay NM
As part of the agreement, Nokia will also deploy its MantaRay Network Management (NM) system—an AI-powered intelligent network management platform designed to provide a unified, real-time view of the network.
MantaRay NM enables proactive monitoring, optimisation, and maintenance, ensuring Vodafone can manage complex network environments efficiently while maintaining high service quality.
This step strengthens Vodafone’s operational capabilities, enabling faster decision-making, predictive fault detection, and automated network optimisation.
Powering Connectivity Across Europe and Africa
Nokia’s partnership extends beyond Vodafone’s European markets, continuing its long-standing collaborations with Vodacom Group and Safaricom Group across Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa.
Together, these initiatives are driving the expansion of high-speed 5G networks and bridging the digital divide, giving millions of users access to faster and more reliable mobile connectivity.
“Today’s networks need new levels of performance, trust and resilience,” said Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia.
“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 future demands as the AI supercycle accelerates.”
Building the Future of Connectivity
The expanded collaboration between Nokia and Vodafone highlights their shared vision for a sustainable, AI-ready 5G ecosystem. By integrating energy-efficient RAN technology and AI-based network intelligence, both companies are laying the foundation for a resilient digital infrastructure that supports economic growth and technological innovation.
As global connectivity needs evolve, Nokia’s AirScale portfolio and ReefShark innovations position it as a leading force in shaping the next generation of mobile networks across Europe and Africa.
