Nokia has announced a new collaboration with Japan’s NTT DOCOMO to deploy its autonomous MantaRay SON (Self-Organizing Networks) solution across DOCOMO’s multi-vendor LTE and 5G radio access network.
This marks the first time in Japan that Nokia’s 5G base station technology is being integrated with DOCOMO’s operational systems, creating a unified and automated framework designed to boost efficiency and improve customer experience. The deployment is currently underway and aims to streamline DOCOMO’s 5G network operations.
Nokia’s MantaRay SON platform is built to manage the growing complexity of modern 5G networks, which include enormous volumes of base stations and millions of cells. By automating routine network management tasks, the solution enhances overall network quality, elevates user experience, and significantly reduces operational spending for operators.
With the integration of MantaRay SON, DOCOMO can automate key functions such as planning, provisioning, and performance verification. The system enables closed-loop operations, ensuring that configuration changes in 5G networks are automatically detected and implemented without requiring manual action.
This automation improves synchronization among DOCOMO’s operational systems, increases responsiveness, and supports continuous improvements in network quality. The roadmap includes additional capabilities such as multi-vendor expansion, MantaRay AutoPilot, and Non-RT RIC features, which will bring more intelligence and automation to DOCOMO’s network.
NTT DOCOMO spent about ¥714 billion on capital expenditure in FY 2024. For FY 2025, DOCOMO plans to increase its Capex by approximately 23 percent to accelerate its 5G network rollout. The investment is primarily targeted at 5G: NTT DOCOMO is investing more in 5G base stations while scaling down 3G facilities and reducing 4G investments.
According to its IR presentation, DOCOMO is also rethinking how it builds its network. From FY 2025 onward, it plans to reduce its network-related investments and lower the capital required per 5G base station by about 20 percent.
As part of its medium-term strategy (towards FY 2027), DOCOMO is targeting a Capex-to-sales ratio of 16.5 percent or less for its telecom business.
Mark Atkinson, Head of Radio Access Networks at Nokia, said MantaRay SON is a major step forward in addressing 5G network complexity and in delivering stronger performance and customer satisfaction.
Masafumi Masuda, General Manager of DOCOMO’s Radio Access Design Department, stated that Nokia’s automated SON solution’s open interfaces will strengthen DOCOMO’s O-RAN-based 5G services, while its AI capabilities will reduce operational expenses and enhance overall service quality.
MantaRay SON also plays a central role in Nokia’s Service Management and Orchestration framework, which uses AI to optimize end-to-end network operations. The solution supports DOCOMO’s target of achieving Level 4 autonomous network operations, enabling higher automation and more intelligent decision-making across its nationwide network infrastructure.
Shafana Fazal