It's always inspiring to see the industry buzzing with innovation, and this year is no exception. I have had some truly fascinating talks with customers and partners, and it's clear that the future of connectivity lies with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. We're not just talking about better performance and customer experiences, we're talking about transforming the way we design, manage and monetize our networks.

A recurring theme in discussions with our customers is how to optimize their networks and find new ways to monetize them. In urban environments, with tightly packed high-rise buildings and ever-changing network configurations, understanding the critical factors of coverage, quality and performance can be a real headache. Traditional network visualization tools simply cannot handle these complexities, often leaving operators in the dark.

To overcome this, operators are turning to digital twins: virtual replicas of their real-world infrastructure that can be used to simulate, monitor and optimize network performance in real time.

Introducing XR Radio Network solution

That’s why, this spring, we launched a revolutionary new XR solution that gives operators an immersive way to interact with their digital twin. This solution was recently recognized with the Open Innovation Catalyst Award – Rising Star at DTW25, as part of a joint project with partners, including du, Mauritius Telecom, NTT, stc, Türk Telekom, ML Networks and Netradar. Together, we showcased how AI, XR and digital twin technology can radically transform customer experience and network operations. It’s called XR (Extended Reality) because it blends Augmented Reality (AR) for in-location performance visualization with Virtual Reality (VR) for remote, any-location exploration.

This 3D visualization enables operators to:

• Monetize the network: Visualize and validate Quality of Service for all manned and unmanned or self-navigating vehicles, such as drones, cars, trains, buses, boats, etc., enabling operators to offer new services and tap into emerging revenue streams. 
• Simplify FWA deployments: Validate the placement of FWA products at specific addresses, based on actual available QoS and capacity, ensuring optimal positioning and reducing churn.
• See the real view: Experience a true 3D representation of your network, providing a detailed understanding of coverage, quality, and performance across all layers, even inside more difficult environments such as high-rise buildings. Run what-if scenarios and visualize before-and-after impacts with precision. 

For new monetization potential, the possibilities are virtually endless. As the use of self-driving vehicles and drone surveillance increases, so does the need for reliable, targeted coverage. With the network digital twin, we can provide ad-hoc or permanent guarantees of service, exactly where and when they’re needed. If we can guarantee the quality of service at a specific time and location, it becomes monetizable.

A permanent “flight corridor” for drones delivering goods could be coordinated with city governments or even national authorities. Or consider temporary coverage to support drone inspections after a natural disaster, responding quickly and safely when it matters most. Each of these use cases represents a new kind of service offering, one that operators can price, guarantee and monetize with confidence.

Real-world accountability through transparency 

There’s another important aspect to this technology: transparency. Let’s say there is a building owner who wants to verify the build quality of recent renovations; they might hire a drone service to capture high-definition imagery. That’s helpful, but how can they be sure the surveillance happened at the right time and along the correct route?

With the network digital twin, we can verify that the agreed flight plan was followed. For instance, the drone may have arrived on time but departed early or deviated from the agreed path. That kind of accountability opens new avenues for service assurance and trust, turning the network into a verified platform for digital services.

Achieving execution at scale with Nokia

Our XR visualization and network digital twin bring real, practical value to operators. We’re not just offering a new way to see the network, we’re enabling a deeper understanding of it and constantly unlocking new monetization opportunities.

The cutting-edge XR visualization technology is developed in collaboration with Immersal and Hexagon, who together with us turn complex environments into clear, navigable digital landscapes, making the impossible possible.

If you want to know more please visit Nokia Network Planning and Optimization website, or our partners Immersal, or Hexagon webpages. Also take a look at our Triangulates episode on AI and digital twin-based services!