Nokia has won a deal from Movistar Chile to provide equipment from its AirScale portfolio to launch the operator’s 5G network in the country.
Nokia will also upgrade Movistar’s 4G and 4G+ networks to strengthen the critical network backbone across Chile’s key markets.
The upgraded network, which will operate across Movistar’s recently won spectrum in Chile’s 5G auction in the 3.5GHz band, will leverage Nokia’s AirScale Radio Access portfolio to deliver ultra-low latency, huge connectivity and extreme capacity, offering both consumers and small to medium-sized business a path to 5G in Chile for the first time.
Nokia’s AirScale portfolio can be seamlessly upgraded from 4G/LTE to 5G/NR via a software-based upgrade to enable a smooth evolution towards 5G deployments.
The 5G network will offer Movistar’s business customers access to 5G use cases, including support for Industry 4.0, public sector and health innovations, and private wireless. This high-speed mobile technology will be supported by Movistar Chile’s fiber optics, which will allow the different mobile antennas deployed in cities to be interconnected.
Chile is the first country in Latin America to have a 5G auction, which is the first step towards launching a commercial network. Movistar Chile acquired 50 MHz in the 3.5Ghz band, which will support enhanced mobile broadband services in Chile.
Antonio Bueno, Head of Technology at Movistar Chile, said: “5G will bring enormous potential to the country, both for people and for the vertical sectors.”
Osvaldo Di Campli, Head of Latin America at Nokia, said: “Latin America has a diverse mix of emerging markets and more established economies, yet this melting pot of business and consumer potential has so far not been able to experience the benefits of 5G.”
