Nokia signs major 5G expansion deal with Telecom Italia

Nokia signs major 5G expansion deal with Telecom Italia is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• The three-year partnership will enhance 5G coverage and capacity, particularly in rural and smaller towns.
• Nokia’s AI-driven technology will help optimise performance and support Italy’s digital transformation.

What happened: Nokia to expand Telecom Italia’s 5G network with cutting-edge AI technology

Nokia has secured a significant three-year contract with Telecom Italia (TIM) to expand and modernise its 5G network across Italy. The agreement is a major boost for Nokia’s presence in the Italian market and aligns with TIM’s strategy to advance digital transformation nationwide.

The partnership will see the deployment of Nokia’s AI-ready 5G AirScale portfolio to improve coverage and capacity, focusing on areas that have traditionally been underserved, such as smaller towns and rural regions. TIM aims to bridge Italy’s digital divide, digitise enterprises, and support the country’s long-term sustainability goals through this initiative.

Nokia will supply cutting-edge technology, including its Habrok 32 Massive MIMO radios and Pandion FDD multi-band remote radio heads, which will enable broader deployment options and improved spectral efficiency. TIM will also integrate Nokia’s Lodos baseband solution, which is designed to enhance performance while lowering energy consumption, supported by Nokia’s ReefShark System-on-Chip technology.

The agreement also involves expanding TIM’s use of Nokia’s MantaRay SON platform, which brings greater automation and AI-driven optimisation to the operator’s radio network. Nokia will provide deployment, maintenance, and support services throughout the project, further enhancing operational efficiency.

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Why it’s important

This deal represents a significant step forward for Italy’s 5G infrastructure, as it focuses on increasing connectivity in rural and underserved areas, helping to close the digital divide. With the integration of AI and automation, TIM will not only improve network performance but also set the stage for more intelligent, future-ready services across Italy.

The partnership also demonstrates the growing importance of AI in network management, as the use of MantaRay SON will optimise the network through AI-driven insights, boosting both efficiency and sustainability. As Italy continues its digital transformation, this collaboration will support the country’s competitive edge in the global economy.