Nokia And NVIDIA Target Telecom’s Capacity Crisis With First Commercial AI-RAN Platform
In Brief
Nokia launches its first commercial AI-RAN platform, targeting 100% spectral gains by 2028 via software subscriptions and NVIDIA computing.
Nokia has unveiled what it describes as the industry’s first commercial AI-RAN platform, positioning the move as one of the most consequential shifts in radio network architecture in decades. Built on Nokia’s AI-native network architecture and NVIDIA‘s accelerated computing, the platform is designed to help telecom operators extract significantly more capacity from existing spectrum and infrastructure — without waiting for traditional hardware upgrade cycles.
The announcement targets a core tension facing mobile network operators: surging AI-driven data demand against the economics of conventional infrastructure expansion. Nokia’s solution claims to address both sides of that equation. The platform has already demonstrated spectral efficiency gains exceeding 20%, with the company targeting 50% gains by 2027 and more than 100% by 2028. For dense cell environments, that translates into substantially more traffic capacity at lower cost per bit — a critical metric as operators compete on both performance and margin.
Equally significant is the commercial model underpinning the platform. Nokia is moving away from hardware-defined refresh cycles toward a software subscription structure, allowing operators to continuously receive AI algorithm updates, new features, and performance enhancements without additional hardware investment. Pilot deployments are scheduled for the end of this year, with commercial availability set for 2027.
Three Deployment Paths, One Software Architecture
Recognizing that operators manage vastly different infrastructure environments, Nokia has structured the platform around three hardware adoption paths while maintaining a unified software-defined core powered by its anyRAN software.
Existing Nokia AirScale customers can integrate the new GPU-powered capacity plug-in unit — described as the most efficient upgrade path — which introduces NVIDIA accelerated computing into deployed infrastructure with minimal disruption. For operators prioritizing deployment flexibility, Nokia is introducing what it calls the industry’s first GPU-powered standalone AI-RAN node, capable of supporting 4G, 5G, and future 6G workloads on a single platform. A third option targets cloud-native environments through COTS server solutions delivered via ecosystem partners, supporting open supply chains on standard accelerated computing infrastructure.
All three paths are fully compliant with Open RAN standards, supporting multi-vendor interoperability and giving operators control over hardware and cloud environment choices. The result, Nokia argues, is a platform that allows operators to modernize incrementally, preserve existing investments, and participate in a continuous innovation roadmap — shifting networks from static, hardware-defined assets to adaptive, software-driven infrastructure.
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About The Author
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in crypto, AI, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
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Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in crypto, AI, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
