Nokia is providing its autonomous MantaRay SON (self-organizing networks) solution to Japan's NTT DoCoMo.

Nokia’s platform is being deployed in NTT DoCoMo’s multivendor LTE and 5G open radio access network (RAN) in a bid to tackle the increasing complexity of 5G networks, which involve thousands of base stations and millions of cells.

The Finnish vendor said the integration will help automate planning, provisioning, and verification processes and help detect operations with changes in 5G systems, tackling issues automatically without the need for human intervention.

“[Nokia’s] open interface capabilities will strengthen our O-RAN 5G commercial network, while its advanced AI features will reduce operational costs and further improve service quality," Masafumi Masuda, GM of radio access design department and SVP at NTT DoCoMo, explained in a statement. "We are excited to continue this journey with Nokia, a trusted partner that has supported us every step of the way as we move toward more open networks.”

The collaboration also supports DoCoMo’s goal of achieving Level 4 (L4) autonomous network operations, where the network uses AI to automate most tasks, making automation more prominent across its infrastructure.

Nokia’s MantaRay SON is a component of its service management and orchestration framework, which uses AI to optimize operations. The vendor plans further updates, including the addition of multivendor support, MantaRay AutoPilot, and non-real time RAN intelligent controller (RIC) capabilities in DoCoMo’s network to deliver greater automation and intelligence.

Nokia’s AI global expansion

Nokia also scored a five-year RAN extension with Telefónica Germany that will see the vendor provide equipment through 2030. The deal includes Nokia’s cloud RAN solutions, and supports Telefónica’s ambitions for rapid 5G expansion and sustainable digitalization across Germany.

Nokia has been solidifying its position as a key AI player in the telecom space in recent years, betting on AI to transform network infrastructure with more efficient systems that can handle explosive traffic growth and cloud-native technologies.

Nokia earlier this year also won part of a $2.7 billion contract from Vodafone Three to expand and upgrade the operator's 5G network infrastructure in the U.K. The deal was part of a $14.8 billion network investment plan aimed to reach near-universal 5G standalone (5G SA) population coverage in the U.K. by 2034.