Nokia and Nvidia have announced the industry's first commercial AI-powered radio access network platform, marking a fundamental shift in how mobile networks operate. The partnership, led by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, aims to help telecommunications providers unlock significantly more data capacity from their existing spectrum and infrastructure by treating radio networks as AI computers rather than traditional hardware systems.

What Makes This AI-RAN Platform Different From Traditional Networks?

The new AI-RAN (Radio Access Network) platform represents one of the most significant shifts in radio network architecture in decades. Rather than requiring operators to purchase new hardware every few years, the platform uses artificial intelligence and software updates to squeeze dramatically more performance from equipment already deployed in the field. The technology has already demonstrated 20% spectral efficiency gains, meaning networks can transmit 20% more data over the same airwaves.

Nokia plans to reach 50% spectral efficiency gains by 2027 and more than 100% by 2028, effectively doubling the amount of traffic networks can carry in dense urban areas while reducing the cost per bit of data transmitted. This matters because spectrum is expensive and limited, so extracting more value from existing frequencies translates directly to better returns for telecom operators.

"Together with Nokia, we are bringing Nvidia CUDA and AI into the baseband, transforming RAN into a planet-scale AI computer. This is a generational shift for operators, unlocking more capacity and efficiency from today's spectrum while creating the foundation for new AI services and the 6G era," said Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of Nvidia.

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO, Nvidia

How Will Telecom Operators Deploy This Technology?

Nokia is offering three distinct hardware platform options to accommodate different operator strategies and existing infrastructure investments:

• AirScale Capacity Plug-in Unit: A GPU-powered expansion card designed for Nokia's existing AirScale customer base, allowing operators to upgrade their current infrastructure with minimal disruption while preserving existing network investments.
• Standalone AI-RAN Node: The industry's first GPU-powered standalone node that supports 4G, 5G, and future 6G workloads on a common platform, deployable as a single unit, in clusters, or alongside existing equipment for maximum flexibility.
• Cloud-Native COTS Solutions: GPU-powered servers delivered through ecosystem partners for operators embracing cloud-native architectures, enabling deployment on industry-standard accelerated computing infrastructure with support from merchant silicon providers like Marvell.

The platform is fully compliant with Open RAN standards, meaning operators can mix and match equipment from multiple vendors rather than being locked into a single supplier. This open approach gives telecom companies the flexibility to choose hardware and cloud environments that best match their specific needs and existing deployments.

Why Is the Subscription Model Important for Operators?

Perhaps the most significant change is Nokia's shift from a traditional hardware sales model to a software subscription approach. Rather than waiting for the next hardware refresh cycle, which typically occurs every five to seven years, operators can now continuously improve network performance, efficiency, and security through regular software updates. This subscription model gives operators access to advanced AI algorithms, spectral efficiency enhancements, network optimization capabilities, and future AI-native features that activate through software alone.

"Through a new software subscription model, telecommunication providers can benefit from AI innovation, new features and performance enhancements without relying on hardware refresh cycles. Nokia's AI-RAN solutions will enter pilot deployments at the end of this year and be commercially available in 2027, with a roadmap that leverages Nvidia's programmable merchant silicon platforms," stated Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia.

Justin Hotard, President and CEO, Nokia

The platform will enter pilot deployments by the end of 2026 and become commercially available in 2027, giving operators time to test the technology before full-scale rollout. This timeline is significant because European telecom operators are still in the process of upgrading their networks to 5G, and the AI-RAN platform offers a clear upgrade path that maximizes returns on those investments.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Mobile Networks?

The partnership between Nokia and Nvidia represents a broader industry shift toward software-defined, AI-native network architectures. As AI workloads increasingly dominate mobile networks, operators need more capacity and faster innovation cycles than traditional hardware-based approaches can provide. By embedding Nvidia's accelerated computing and AI capabilities directly into the radio access network, the companies are essentially turning mobile networks into distributed AI computers capable of processing data closer to users, reducing latency and enabling new services.

This transformation also creates a foundation for the eventual transition to 6G networks, which are still in the early definition stages. By building on a software-defined architecture now, operators can upgrade to 6G capabilities through software updates rather than requiring complete infrastructure replacements.

The announcement comes less than ten months after Nokia and Nvidia announced their initial partnership, which included Nvidia taking an equity stake in the Finnish network equipment maker. That rapid progression from partnership announcement to commercial product launch demonstrates the urgency both companies see in bringing AI-native networks to market as telecommunications becomes increasingly central to AI infrastructure deployment globally.