Nokia Expands Strategic Partnership with Vodafone and Vodacom to Accelerate 5G Deployment Across Europe and Africa

Nokia Expands Strategic Partnership with Vodafone and Vodacom to Accelerate 5G Deployment Across Europe and Africa

(IN BRIEF) Nokia has extended its strategic partnership with Vodafone and Vodacom under Vodafone’s five-year RAN investment programme, reinforcing its leadership in 5G infrastructure across Europe and Africa. The collaboration will see Nokia deploy equipment from its AirScale RAN portfolio, including Massive MIMO radios powered by energy-efficient ReefShark chip technology, and introduce the first 5G Dual-Band Massive MIMO Radio in Africa. The company will also integrate its AI-based MantaRay network management system to enhance network monitoring and performance. This partnership aims to boost Vodafone’s network reliability and sustainability while advancing digital transformation throughout both regions.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 14-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Nokia has strengthened its long-standing collaboration with Vodafone and Vodacom through an extended agreement that reinforces its position as a key strategic partner across Europe and Africa. The partnership is part of Vodafone’s five-year radio access network (RAN) investment programme and marks a major step toward advancing next-generation connectivity, digital transformation, and sustainable telecommunications infrastructure on two continents.

Under the agreement, Nokia will provide advanced solutions from its industry-leading, energy-efficient AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) portfolio. This includes Massive MIMO radios, baseband, and remote radio head (RRH) equipment, all powered by Nokia’s ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) technology. These technologies are designed to enhance network capacity, coverage, and performance while reducing space and energy consumption, supporting Vodafone’s goal of creating an inclusive and sustainable digital society.

Significantly, the collaboration will also see the first deployment of a 5G Dual-Band Massive MIMO Radio in Africa—representing a milestone in the continent’s 5G evolution. Nokia will additionally implement its AI-powered MantaRay Network Management (NM) system, offering a unified, intelligent view of network operations for improved monitoring, management, and efficiency.

The extended partnership builds on Nokia’s ongoing work with Vodacom Group and Safaricom Group in key African markets including South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The company’s technology and expertise continue to support the rollout of high-performance, future-ready 5G standalone networks.

Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, commented: “Today’s networks require new levels of performance, trust, and resilience. We are delighted to extend our partnership with Vodafone, Vodacom, and their affiliates to build future-proof 5G networks across Europe and Africa. This agreement demonstrates the strength of our technology in helping customers meet the demands of the AI-driven digital era.”

The announcement follows Nokia’s recent RAN agreement with VodafoneThree—part of Europe’s largest privately funded telecommunications infrastructure project—cementing the company’s role as a key enabler of global connectivity innovation.

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SOURCE: Nokia