Nokia has announced that it is further strengthening its partnership with Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC) by building a core 5G mobile network. This is an extension of the existing agreement where Nokia is a strategic technology partner that will build Ghana’s first 5G network. As a shared neutral host network, NGIC will use the 5G network to offer wholesale services to mobile service providers in the country, who will be able to provide 5G services to their subscribers – for faster data speeds and greater network reliability and capacity.
The 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) core will provide the security, resilience and reliability needed to deliver 5G services in Ghana. This deal includes Nokia’s Cloud Mobility Manager (CMM) and Cloud Mobile Gateway (CMG), in addition to the previously announced 4G and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) AirScale base stations, and will be fully managed by its MantaRay network management system Nokia. In addition, Nokia will provide the end-to-end suite of services for the full scope of the agreement, making Nokia an end-to-end network partner of NGIC.
The open access and cloud-based Nokia and NGIC 5G network will provide mobile operators in Ghana with a shared, secure, environmentally sustainable and high-speed network that will enable rapid expansion of 5G services with reduced capital expenditure. In the future, the network will enable newer capabilities such as improved mobile broadband, machine-like mass communication, and ultra-reliable low-latency communication.
NGIC plans to launch wholesale 4G and 5G Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) within 2024. Additionally, to keep the shared network at the forefront of technology, Nokia and NGIC will establish a flagship 4G Center of Excellence /5G in Ghana which will serve as a testbed for newer technologies and use cases, while also demonstrating Nokia’s network sharing, Cloud RAN and Open RAN capabilities.
Harikirit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of NGIC Ghana, said: “We chose Nokia because it is a reliable and proven partner in Africa that can deliver on our ambitions to introduce 5G services in Ghana. As NGIC is a wholesale network provider to mobile operators in Ghana, Nokia’s 5G RAN and Core solution is a key part of our network evolution as it incorporates the flexibility, scalability, resilience and security we need as the only network 5G in the country. This will allow us to integrate more seamlessly into our customers’ networks to deliver 5G services to the people and businesses of Ghana.”
Michael Tseytlin, Chief Technology Officer of NGIC Ghana, said: “In partnership with Nokia, we will enable our customers to take full advantage of 5G in Ghana, with plans to expand it to other regions in Africa. NGIC will use Nokia’s technology and products to develop network infrastructure and related services to serve both the business and consumer markets.
Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President – MEA Market, Mobile Networks, Nokia said: “Partnering with NGIC to build the first 4G/5G network as a service (NaaS) in Africa is a great opportunity with a strong purpose to serve the needs of the continent. This alternative network model is a smart approach for smart CAPEX and OPEX investments, which will help MNOs introduce the latest technologies in a faster and more efficient way.”
Samar Mittal, Vice President – MEA Market, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia said: “Nokia is proud to partner with NGIC in Ghana and help them realize their ambitions to introduce the first 5G network in Ghana. This 5G network will undoubtedly bring high-speed mobile data to Ghanaians and also support a plethora of new business use cases that will drive socio-economic development. We are committed to the success of the NGIC network to help realize its innovative vision to bridge the digital divide in Ghana.”
