Nokia has unveiled its new AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network) platform, developed in partnership with NVIDIA, aiming to make mobile networks faster, smarter, and more efficient without requiring telecom operators to purchase entirely new hardware.

The company says the platform can significantly improve how wireless spectrum is used, helping operators deliver better network performance while reducing infrastructure costs.

If successful, the new AI-powered system could play a major role in the future of 5G and upcoming 6G networks.

What Is Nokia’s AI-RAN Platform?

AI-RAN combines artificial intelligence with radio access network (RAN) technology the infrastructure that connects smartphones and other wireless devices to mobile networks.

Instead of relying only on traditional hardware, Nokia’s platform uses AI models running on NVIDIA’s Aerial AI computing platform to optimize network performance in real time.

This allows telecom providers to:

  • Improve network speed
  • Increase spectrum efficiency
  • Reduce network congestion
  • Lower operating costs
  • Handle growing mobile data traffic

Better Use of Existing Network Capacity

One of the biggest benefits Nokia highlights is improved spectral efficiency, which measures how effectively available radio spectrum is used.

According to Nokia:

  • Early testing has shown more than 20% improvement in spectrum efficiency.
  • The company aims for 50% improvement by 2027.
  • Long-term goals target over 100% improvement by 2028, potentially doubling the capacity of existing spectrum.

It’s important to note that only the initial performance figures have been demonstrated so far. The higher targets remain part of Nokia’s future roadmap.

No Need for Expensive Hardware Upgrades

Rather than requiring telecom companies to replace their entire radio infrastructure, Nokia plans to offer AI-RAN as a software subscription service.

Operators will be able to deploy it through multiple options, including:

  • GPU acceleration cards for existing AirScale equipment
  • Dedicated AI-RAN nodes
  • Cloud-based deployments through infrastructure partners

This flexible approach may reduce deployment costs while allowing networks to gradually adopt AI capabilities.

Why NVIDIA Is Central to This Project

The new platform is built around NVIDIA’s GPU technology and AI software ecosystem.

Instead of developing its own specialized chips, Nokia is relying on NVIDIA’s powerful AI hardware to process network optimization tasks.

This partnership follows NVIDIA’s investment in Nokia announced in late 2025 and reflects the growing role AI chips are playing in next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.

Competition in the AI-RAN Market

Although Nokia describes its platform as an industry first, the AI-powered networking space is becoming increasingly competitive.

Earlier this year, Ericsson introduced its own AI-powered radio software designed to improve network performance using existing telecom hardware.

The difference lies in the architecture.

While Ericsson focuses on AI features running on traditional baseband processors, Nokia’s solution is designed specifically around GPU acceleration using NVIDIA technology.

Both companies are pursuing different strategies to modernize future wireless networks.

Commercial Launch Timeline

Nokia expects:

  • Pilot deployments to begin later this year.
  • Commercial availability starting in 2027.

The company believes AI-RAN could become one of the largest opportunities in telecom infrastructure over the next several years as operators prepare for growing AI workloads and future 6G networks.

Why AI-RAN Matters

Global mobile data usage continues to increase every year.

Building entirely new telecom infrastructure is expensive and time-consuming.

AI-RAN offers an alternative by helping operators maximize the performance of networks they already own.

If widely adopted, AI-powered radio networks could:

  • Deliver faster internet speeds
  • Improve coverage
  • Support more connected devices
  • Reduce energy consumption
  • Prepare networks for future AI-driven applications

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