A European First: Nokia’s 5G mmWave Network Collaboration with EOLO
Nokia has partnered with Italian telecommunications operator EOLO to roll out a 5G standalone (SA) mmWave network in Italy. This deployment marks a significant milestone as Nokia claims it to be the first of its kind in Europe. The two companies have signed a four-year agreement to expand ultra-fast connectivity across underserved regions in Italy.
Founded in 1999, EOLO SpA is a leading telecom operator in Italy, providing ultra-broadband services to residential, business, and wholesale customers. With over 1.6 million customers, EOLO has been focused on bridging the digital divide and delivering high-speed connectivity solutions nationwide.
Why This Partnership Matters for Italy
The collaboration between Nokia and EOLO aims to provide high-speed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services to regions where traditional wired broadband infrastructure remains impractical or expensive to deploy. By leveraging Nokia’s advanced 5G AirScale and Shikra mmWave technologies, EOLO will deliver gigabit-level speeds to underserved and rural communities, significantly narrowing Italy’s digital divide.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, expressed excitement about the partnership: “We are delighted to work with EOLO on this important deal. Our industry-leading 5G mmWave solutions will deliver premium connectivity with the highest quality of service, empowering underserved areas to enjoy innovative connectivity experiences.”
Guido Garrone, CEO at EOLO, emphasized the long-term goals of the project: “Together with Nokia, we aim to build a best-in-class FWA network capable of reaching 1Gbps speeds across the country. This new 5G infrastructure will enhance our customers’ experiences and further eliminate both the digital divide and the digital speed divide.”
Technology Behind the Partnership: Nokia’s Shikra mmWave Radios and AirScale Portfolio
Nokia’s 5G AirScale Portfolio: High-Capacity Connectivity Solutions
Nokia is supplying its 5G AirScale portfolio, which includes key solutions such as:
- AirScale Baseband Solutions: Providing efficient 5G data processing.
- Massive MIMO Radios: Ensuring greater capacity and coverage.
- Remote Radio Heads: Enhancing network efficiency for wide-area deployment.
These solutions are specifically designed to support large-scale 5G networks, enabling ultra-fast connectivity in both urban and rural environments.
Shikra mmWave Radios: Powering High-Capacity 5G
Nokia’s Shikra mmWave radios play a pivotal role in delivering ultra-wide bandwidth and exceptional coverage. The Shikra radios are particularly well-suited for high-density environments, including shopping malls, sports stadiums, and urban centers, where demand for bandwidth-intensive applications such as augmented reality (AR) and ultra-HD video streaming is high.
In addition to urban applications, Nokia highlights that Shikra’s mmWave solutions are ideal for providing Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services in rural and underserved areas. This makes them a perfect fit for EOLO’s strategy to expand connectivity to regions not covered by fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solutions.
Addressing the Digital Divide in Italy
Bridging Underserved Communities with 1Gbps FWA Speeds
The partnership aligns with EOLO’s commitment to connecting underserved communities in Italy. The introduction of 5G mmWave technology will provide:
- High-speed connectivity for areas lacking wired broadband infrastructure.
- Improved broadband accessibility for homes, businesses, and wholesale customers.
- Seamless access to essential digital services such as video conferencing, streaming, and cloud-based applications.
By offering speeds of up to 1Gbps, EOLO’s FWA network will ensure that rural areas and smaller towns experience the same level of connectivity as urban centers, thus closing both the digital and speed divide.
Guido Garrone reiterated this mission, stating: “This deployment reflects our ambition to deliver premium FWA experiences to all areas of Italy, including those currently underserved by fiber infrastructure.”
Benefits of 5G mmWave Networks for Urban and Rural Areas
5G for Dense Urban Environments
Nokia’s Shikra mmWave radios are optimized for:
- High-capacity urban areas, such as stadiums, shopping centers, and event venues.
- Bandwidth-intensive applications, including augmented reality (AR) and ultra-HD video streaming.
- Multi-user environments, where demand for low-latency, high-bandwidth services is constant.
Extending 5G to Rural Communities
In rural and underserved areas, Nokia’s mmWave technology provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional broadband:
- Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) eliminates the need for expensive wired infrastructure.
- Scalable connectivity allows for rapid deployment across wide geographical areas.
- Affordable broadband solutions enable households and businesses to access modern digital tools.
This dual focus ensures that Nokia’s 5G solutions address both urban and rural connectivity challenges, delivering value across diverse environments.
EOLO’s Vision: Future-Proofing Connectivity in Italy
EOLO’s long-term vision focuses on building a future-proof network capable of delivering ultra-reliable, high-speed internet to all corners of Italy. By investing in Nokia’s advanced 5G technology, EOLO is:
- Strengthening its FWA network to support growing demand for gigabit-level speeds.
- Creating equal access to digital opportunities for underserved communities.
- Ensuring that both residential and business users benefit from next-generation connectivity.
With this strategic deployment, EOLO is positioning itself as a leader in Italy’s broadband market, addressing gaps in connectivity and supporting national digital transformation goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Nokia’s Shikra mmWave technology?
Nokia’s Shikra mmWave radios provide ultra-wide bandwidth, high capacity, and coverage, making them ideal for both urban and rural 5G applications.
2. How will the Nokia-EOLO partnership impact rural connectivity in Italy?
The partnership will enable EOLO to deliver Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services with speeds up to 1Gbps in underserved regions, closing the digital divide.
3. What solutions does Nokia’s AirScale portfolio include?
Nokia’s AirScale portfolio includes baseband solutions, Massive MIMO radios, and Remote Radio Heads, all designed for high-capacity 5G networks.
4. How long is the Nokia-EOLO agreement?
The two companies have signed a four-year partnership to deploy 5G mmWave infrastructure across Italy.
5. What benefits does 5G mmWave technology offer?
5G mmWave technology delivers ultra-fast speeds, high capacity, and low latency, supporting bandwidth-intensive applications like AR, video streaming, and FWA services.
