STOCKHOLM/HELSINKI: U.S. satellite TV provider Dish Network, racing to build a 5G network in the United States by 2023, has turned to Finland’s Nokia to supply 5G core software.
Dish is building its network ground up and has so far chosen non-traditional telecoms vendors and a new technology called Open Radio Access Network (RAN) that uses software to run network functions on the cloud, reducing the use of physical equipment.
The agreement with Nokia marks Dish’s first deal with a traditional telecoms equipment supplier.
Dish, which is sitting on an unused wireless spectrum portfolio worth $20 billion, is working with Fujitsu, Nvidia, Altiostar and Mavenir to supply various parts of the network.
Nokia has distanced itself from other telecoms equipment firms by being a vocal supporter of Open RAN and had earlier partnered with Japan’s Rakuten – the first firm to…
