Nokia has signed a four-year agreement with EOLO, a telecommunications provider in Italy, to deploy Europe’s first standalone 5G mmWave Radio Access Network. This collaboration aims to bridge Italy’s digital and speed divides by providing connectivity to underserved communities across the country.
Transformative Technology for Better Connectivity
The partnership will leverage Nokia’s advanced 5G AirScale portfolio, which includes next-generation baseband solutions, Massive MIMO radios, and Remote Radio Head products. Powered by the energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, these solutions will ensure enhanced coverage and capacity.
A key element of the deployment is Nokia’s Shikra mmWave radios, designed to deliver exceptional 5G capacity, ultra-wide bandwidth, and premium user experiences in both urban and rural environments. The solution also includes the Nokia FastMile 5G mmWave outdoor receiver, enabling reliable, ultra-fast wireless broadband in areas where deploying traditional fiber infrastructure is impractical or costly.
Guido Garrone, CEO of EOLO, said: “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to providing the best FWA network experience for customers across Italy, including areas not connected by FTTH technology. We will bring FWA connectivity of up to 1 Gbps to underserved markets — improving access for all.”
Innovative 5G Use Cases
The 5G mmWave solutions will address diverse scenarios:
Urban Areas: Enhanced connectivity in dense environments such as shopping centers and sports venues, supporting advanced services like real-time UHD video streaming and augmented reality.
Rural Areas: Reliable fixed wireless access for homes in regions lacking wired broadband infrastructure, helping to close connectivity gaps.
Nokia’s Perspective
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said: “We work with EOLO to introduce innovative 5G experiences and bring connectivity to underserved communities in Italy. Our AirScale and FastMile portfolio will enable premium capacity and quality of service for all users.”
