Japan’s mobile operator SoftBank selects Nokia for standalone 5G Core

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SoftBank, one of the top three mobile network operators in Japan, has announced a partnership with Nokia to supply its 5G Core architecture.

SoftBank Japan.
(Image credit: SoftBank.)

SoftBank, one of the top three mobile network operators in Japan, has announced a partnership with Nokia to supply its 5G Core architecture.

Nokia has announced that SoftBank has chosen its 5G Core software to deliver standalone 5G services across Japan. 

Nokia will work with SoftBank to open up new opportunities for both its consumer and enterprise users, delivering new 5G use cases, such as VR, AR, fixed wireless access, immersive video services, and connected vehicles.

“This is a tremendous way to be expanding Nokia’s long standing relationship with SoftBank.”

John Lancaster-Lennox, Nokia.

“Nokia 5G Core’s near-zero-touch automation capabilities, high-level operational efficiencies, scale and performance will help SoftBank deliver advanced services and experience, and boost network reliability,” said John Lancaster-Lennox, head of market unit Japan at Nokia. “This is a tremendous way to be expanding Nokia’s long standing relationship with SoftBank.”

Zero touch automation

Nokia claims that its 5G Core software is close to “zero-touch automation”, and customers are able to take advantage of its distributed cloud platform functionality. Nokia's cloud-native 5G Core software will, the company says, provide SoftBank with the ability to improve its scalability and reliability, whilst delivering the benefits of 5G – speed and low latency.

“This 5G core solution will catapult us into the next phase of our 5G transition.”

Keiichi Makizono, SoftBank.

“We are pleased to be expanding our relationship with Nokia as we enable fast and reliable 5G service for our subscribers,” said Keiichi Makizono, senior VP and CIO of SoftBank. “This 5G core solution will catapult us into the next phase of our 5G transition.”

Nokia says that its Core product has been developed around “cloud-native and DevOps principles”, which will enable SoftBank to automate the lifecycle management of its 5G networks, as well as enable continuous software delivery and integration.

Dan Oliver
Dan Oliver

Dan is a British journalist with 20 years of experience in the design and tech sectors, producing content for the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, Dell and The Sunday Times. In 2012 he helped launch the world's number one design blog, Creative Bloq. Dan is now editor-in-chief at 5Gradar, where he oversees news, insight and reviews, providing an invaluable resource for anyone looking to stay up-to-date with the key issues facing 5G.