Nokia has announced that it is further strengthening its partnership with 4G and 5G network-as-a-service (NaaS) operator Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC) by building a 5G mobile core network.
According to news site Telecom Review Africa, this is as an extension of the existing agreement where Nokia is a strategic technology partner that will build Ghana’s first 5G network.
As a shared neutral host network, NGIC will use the 5G network to offer wholesale services to mobile service providers in Ghana. They in turn will be able to deliver 5G services to their subscribers.
A 5G non-standalone (NSA) core will provide the security, resiliency and reliability that is needed to deliver 5G services in Ghana. This agreement includes Nokia’s Cloud Mobility Manager (CMM) and Cloud Mobile Gateway (CMG), in addition to 4G and 5G radio access network (RAN) AirScale base stations, and will be comprehensively managed by Nokia’s MantaRay network management system.
Furthermore, Nokia will provide its end-to-end service suite for the full scope of the deal, making Nokia an end-to-end network partner of NGIC.
Telecom Review Africa says that the Nokia and NGIC 5G open-access and cloud-based network will offer mobile operators in Ghana a shared, secure, environmentally sustainable and high-speed network that, the partners say, will enable the rapid expansion of 5G services with reduced capital expenditure. Over time, they add, the network will enable newer capabilities, like enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-type communication and ultra-reliable low-latency communication.
NGIC plans to launch its wholesale 4G and 5G Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) before the end of 2024.
Nokia and NGIC will also build a flagship 4G/5G Centre of Excellence in Ghana that will serve as a test bed for newer technologies and use cases, while also demonstrating Nokia’s capabilities on network sharing, Cloud RAN and Open RAN.
NGIC apparently has plans to extend this approach to other regions in Africa.
As for the background to this network rollout, on its website NGIC says: “The Government of Ghana has awarded Next-Gen Infraco access to deploy 5G across the country, bringing more equality to the data services market, lowering prices, and creating a level playing field for ecosystem players.”
It continues: “To this effect, we will deploy 4G macro sites country-wide and micro sites in congested communities. We will also deploy the sole 5G network countrywide, with a target coverage of 5,200 sites in three years.”
