Nokia expands AI‑RAN trials with eight operators and deepens UK defense partnership
Nokia announced an expansion of its AI‑RAN platform, with eight operators across Europe, Asia‑Pacific and the Middle East moving from proof‑of‑concept to lab and live trials using Nokia software together with NVIDIA's Aerial RAN Computer. The operators listed are A1 Group, Chunghwa Telecom, du, e&, Mobily, stc, TPG Telecom and Zain Saudi, and earlier work with NTT DOCOMO continues. Nokia says…
Key points
- Eight operators—including A1 Group, Chunghwa Telecom, du, e&, Mobily, stc, TPG Telecom and Zain Saudi—are advancing AI‑RAN trials on NVIDIA hardware.
- Nokia’s AI‑RAN platform has already achieved over 20 % spectral‑efficiency improvement, with further gains planned through 2027‑2028 and a path to AI‑native 6G.
- Nokia Defense and UK firm C3IA signed an MOU to co‑develop tactical communications, private 4G/5G and edge computing for the Ministry of Defence.
In a separate move, Nokia Defense signed an MOU with UK systems‑engineering firm C3IA to co‑develop tactical communications, private 4G/5G, command‑and‑control, sensing, autonomous systems and edge computing for the British Ministry of Defence’s TacSys framework. The partnership aims to digitise defence operations and extend Nokia’s connectivity portfolio into military use cases.
The announcements lifted Nokia’s shares up to 5 % in pre‑market trading, reflecting investor optimism that AI‑enhanced radio access networks can unlock new capacity for carriers and that the UK defence tie‑up could open a sizable government market.
NOK Stock Rises 5% Premarket: Nvidia-Powered AI-RAN Trials Expand, UK Defense Push Deepens
finance.yahoo.com · 16 September 2026- Eight operators are advancing AI-RAN proofs of concept and live trials with Nokia on NVIDIA platforms.
- Its AI-RAN platform has delivered more than 20% spectral-efficiency improvement.
- Nokia Defense and C3IA will co-develop capabilities spanning tactical communications, private 4G/5G and edge computing.
Nokia Oyj (NOK) shares rose as much as 5% in Wednesday's premarket after the company announced new developments across its artificial intelligence-powered radio access network (AI-RAN) business and UK defense operations.
Operators across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East are moving its AI-RAN technology from early evaluations to lab and live-field trials, using Nokia software alongside NVIDIA's Aerial RAN Computer, the company said.
Nokia Expands NVIDIA-Powered AI-RAN Trials
Announcing the growing global momentum for AI-RAN, Nokia said that A1 Group, Chunghwa Telecom, du, e&, Mobily, stc, TPG Telecom and Zain Saudi are among the operators advancing proofs of concept and trials with the telecom, information technology, and consumer electronics company. Previously announced work with operators including NTT DOCOMO is also continuing.
AI-RAN combines AI with radio access network technology to improve how mobile networks use spectrum and computing resources. Nokia's platform has already delivered more than 20% improvements in spectral efficiency, with additional software-driven gains planned through 2027 and 2028.
The platform combines Nokia's AI-native anyRAN software with NVIDIA Aerial RAN Computer and is designed for 5G networks with a software upgrade path toward AI-native 6G. Growing service-provider engagement shows AI-RAN is moving from an industry concept toward "commercial reality," said Emma Falck, president of Mobile Infrastructure.
Nokia Defense Expands UK Partnership
Separately, the company announced that Nokia Defense signed a memorandum of understanding with C3IA, a UK systems engineering and security-services company, to support digital transformation across UK defense operations.
The companies plan to co-develop solutions covering tactical and operational communications, private 4G and 5G, command and control, sensing, autonomous systems and edge computing. The partnership also builds on both companies' participation in the UK Ministry of Defence's TacSys framework, which provides access to Nokia's connectivity portfolio for future tactical communications requirements.
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2 sources- Nokia Jumps 6% as AI-RAN Trials Expand Across Eight Operators; NVIDIA and Ericsson Tread Water Press · finance.yahoo.com ·
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