Telecom Italia (TIM) has chosen Nokia to replace Ericsson across a major portion of its 5G radio access network, marking one of the most significant vendor shifts in Italy’s telecom sector. The multi-year agreement strengthens TIM’s long-term strategy to modernise its mobile infrastructure, diversify suppliers, and deliver faster, more reliable connectivity nationwide.
The new deal positions Nokia as a central partner in TIM’s 5G expansion, supporting improved speeds, lower latency, better indoor coverage, and enhanced energy efficiency for customers across Italy. The partnership also aligns with European supply-chain priorities and TIM’s commitment to high-quality, future-proof networks.
Nokia Secures Three-Year Deal to Boost 5G Coverage and Capacity
Nokia has been awarded a three-year contract to upgrade and expand TIM’s 5G footprint after a competitive tender. The deployment extends Nokia’s presence to new regions while reinforcing TIM’s goal of narrowing the digital divide and enabling advanced broadband services in smaller towns and rural communities.
The agreement leverages Nokia’s energy-efficient and AI-powered radio access technologies, supporting TIM’s sustainability goals and reinforcing its network transformation strategy.
Advanced AirScale RAN Solutions to Power TIM’s 5G Upgrade
TIM will deploy Nokia’s latest AirScale RAN portfolio featuring high-performance, energy-efficient hardware:
Habrok 32 Massive MIMO radios for improved capacity, spectral efficiency, and urban coverage
Pandion FDD multi-band remote radio heads providing flexible deployment across diverse environments
Lodos 4G/5G baseband capacity cards, designed for scalability and reduced energy consumption
All of these solutions are powered by Nokia’s ReefShark system-on-chip technology, enabling peak performance with lower operational costs and lower energy use.
AI-Driven Network Automation with MantaRay SON
As part of the deal, Nokia will expand the rollout of its MantaRay self-organising network (SON) solution. This platform uses AI and analytics to optimise network performance, automate operations, and elevate user experience. TIM will also utilise Nokia’s deployment, support, and maintenance services, which integrate AI-driven processes for improved network efficiency and safety.
Executive Insights on the Partnership
Pietro Labriola, CEO of TIM, highlighted that the collaboration enhances TIM’s leadership in next-generation connectivity, enabling faster, smarter, and more sustainable digital infrastructure for consumers and industries across Italy.
Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia, emphasised that the partnership reflects the importance of trusted 5G networks in advancing Italy’s digital competitiveness. He noted that Nokia’s AirScale solution will help TIM expand coverage and create a foundation for new AI-enabled services.
A Major Shift for Italy’s 5G Ecosystem
TIM’s decision to replace Ericsson with Nokia across a large share of its 5G sites underscores a broader industry trend toward vendor diversification, energy efficiency, and AI-led network optimisation. The partnership delivers strategic advantages for TIM while strengthening Nokia’s position in the Italian market. It also paves the way for more resilient, high-performance, and sustainable 5G connectivity across the country — benefiting consumers, enterprises, and public-sector digital transformation efforts.
Shafana Fazal