Nokia and Eastlink have joined forces to establish a multi-year strategic access network partnership in a significant move aimed at advancing mobile network capabilities.
This collaboration is poised to revolutionize Eastlink’s mobile network, with the integration of Nokia’s AirScale portfolio, including the pivotal 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) technology. The collaboration is set to usher in an era of swifter speeds, heightened performance, and an augmented network capacity for Eastlink’s users.
The heart of this collaboration lies in Nokia’s pioneering AirScale 5G portfolio, which encompasses baseband, remote radio heads, and massive MIMO antennas. This ensemble enables extensive 5G capacity, expansive coverage, and facile deployment.
These components are underpinned by an innovative, energy-efficient generation of ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) technology, which culminates in the optimal blend of network performance and capacity while promoting streamlined deployment and operation.
The partnership is slated to encompass both novel site expansion and the modernization of existing sites. It’s anticipated that the inaugural site, empowered by Nokia’s technology, will go live this August, marking the outset of a transformative journey.
Eastlink serves customers in seven provinces across Canada and Bermuda.
Jeff Gillham, CEO at Eastlink, anticipated a substantial share of Eastlink’s mobile radio access network to be covered by Nokia’s technologies in the coming years. Jeff Gillham acknowledged Nokia’s global stature in 5G technology and lauded the company’s role in bolstering customer experiences by focusing on energy efficiency and security.
Jeffrey Maddox, President of Nokia Canada, said the deployment of Nokia’s AirScale platform will bestow Eastlink’s consumers and enterprises with exceptional 5G speeds and unwavering reliability. He underscored the transformative potential of 5G technology and expressed delight in contributing to the remarkable technology journey of more Canadians.