Modern defense requires continuous communication across many manned and unmanned systems. However, maintaining reliable connectivity beyond the vehicle remains an operational challenge. This collaboration extends secure, high-speed 5G connectivity from combat vehicles directly to troops and robotic systems in the field, enabling continuous data exchange in contested scenarios.

Built for demanding conditions, Nokia Defense’s deployable 5G-based technology delivers high capacity, low latency, secure and resilient connectivity to improve situational awareness and mission coordination. Its flexible design enables rapid deployment in areas where communications are limited or unavailable.

Multimedia, technical information and related news

Web Page: Defense communications | Nokia.com

AI traffic and data center interconnect (DCI) requirements are continuing to accelerate, exceeding the practical limits of approaches based solely on incremental improvements over previous generations. As applications diversify, network operators increasingly require solutions that are specifically optimized for different performance, reach, and efficiency requirements. Nokia’s latest innovations represent a fundamental shift in how optical transport products are designed and developed, delivering application-optimized connectivity that maximizes performance while significantly reducing cost, space, and power and simplifying network operations.

The innovations include a new suite of coherent optical solutions and a compact, multi-fiber optimized in-line amplifier. Nokia executives will be at the OFC conference in Los Angeles this week to share the company’s latest vision for optical networking in the AI era.

New suite of application-optimized coherent optical solutions

At the core of Nokia’s announcement is a new approach to building coherent optical solutions for AI-era networks. Rather than developing discrete solutions for each application, Nokia is introducing a building block-based development methodology that enables technologies to be easily assembled and integrated across a broad range of optical transport use cases. These building blocks include four new digital signal processors and multiple optical front ends built using both Indium Phosphide and Silicon Photonics. This approach results in a comprehensive suite of coherent optical transport solutions that are specifically optimized to address both existing and emerging network applications improving cost, space, and power efficiency while delivering up to 70% total cost of ownership savings.

The new solutions include:

• A 1.6T-capable coherent pluggable optimized for IP over DWDM DCI and scale across applications.
• A 2.4T-capable coherent pluggable optimized for thin transponder deployments supporting a broad range of terrestrial and subsea network applications.
• A 3.2T-capable coherent lite solution optimized for low power to address shorter reach campus and enterprise applications.
• A new class of double-sided pluggables optimized to pair with CPO-, LPO-, and NPO-based switches, supporting campus, metro and regional DCI and scale across applications.
• A new class of full-band transponders that combine hundreds of coherent components into a single, operationally simplified solution optimized for hyperscale capacity demands across campus, metro, regional, long-haul, and submarine applications.
• 2.4T and a 3.2T embedded transponders optimized to maximize fiber capacity at any distance for fiber-constrained applications.

The new family of coherent optical solutions is expected to begin sampling in mid-2027 with general availability anticipated to begin in the second half of 2027.

Multi-rail in-line amplifier

As bandwidth demands increasingly exceed what can be delivered over a single pair of fibers, network operators are adopting multi-fiber architectures to scale capacity. A key constraint to multi-fiber network expansion is the physical space limitations of in-line amplifier huts required for network spans beyond 80 kilometers.

To address this challenge, Nokia is introducing a new multi-rail in-line amplifier designed for scalable multi-fiber deployments. This solution delivers a 40-fold increase in in-line amplifier density over today’s solutions or 160 fiber pairs in a single rack. This enables them to expand capacity and services within their existing network footprint while reducing cost and operational complexity.

Nokia’s new multi-rail optical line system will be available in the second half of 2026.

Nokia will hold an executive investor, analyst and media briefing at OFC on March 18 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. PDT at the Los Angeles Convention Center​ in Room #409A, Concourse Hall, Level 2. Nokia’s leadership team will present the company’s next-generation optical networking vision.

The event will be publicly available via live webcast and replay on the Investor Relations section of Nokia’s website, under Events.

For more information on Nokia’s participation at OFC, visit us at Nokia at OFC 2026 | Nokia.com.

Multimedia, technical information and related news

Web Page: Nokia at OFC 2026 | Nokia.com

Web Page: Nokia Optical Networks

As 5G technology accelerates battlefield digitalization, defense forces require end-user devices capable of harnessing their full potential. The Nokia Mission-Safe Phone is a purpose-built defense smartphone engineered for resilience, security and performance.

Developed and manufactured in Europe, the new product features a long-lifecycle chipset from Qualcomm. The Nokia Mission-Safe Phone is an open, customizable platform designed to seamlessly integrate new features, applications, and accessories, adapting to diverse customer needs and preferences. For demanding conditions, Savox Communications’ complementary solutions can deliver superior audio performance and clear communication. Visitors to this year’s DSEI UK (9–12 September) can explore these innovations at the Nokia booth.

Validated with the Nokia Banshee portfolio of 4G and 5G tactical communications solutions, the Nokia Mission-Safe Phone offers military-grade durability and supports high-bandwidth applications, including multimedia and data-intensive operations. It is available in three versions, each adapted to support a range of missions and operational needs. All variants are MIL-Standard 810H and IP68 certified, ensuring resilience, reliability and mission readiness in any environment. Its rugged design and strong security make it a trusted choice for defense teams operating in demanding operational scenarios. 

Nokia is also launching the upgraded Banshee 5G Tactical Radio, now enhanced with 5G capabilities. This rugged, portable mobile ‘network in a box’ is designed for quick setup, strong security, and easy transport. With 5G, it offers higher bandwidth, faster speeds, and lower latency, making communications more reliable in challenging conditions. This Banshee radio gives teams a powerful tactical network anywhere it is needed, enabling instant coordination, fast data sharing, and better situational awareness in the field.

Multimedia, technical information, and related news

Web Page: Defense technology and communications

Web Page: Tactical communications solutions

16 January 2025
Europe’s connectivity leaders Nokia and Ericsson are at the heart of a technology and economic drive to secure European prosperity through innovation, investment, tech leadership and digitalization success on the global stage.

Supported by European technology leaders ASML and SAP, Nokia and Ericsson are organizing a unique New Industrial Ambition for Europe summit in Brussels today, January 16.

The summit aims to catalyze momentum across the EU to implement the actions required to deliver future European digitalization success – including a more supportive regulatory environment and making the region more attractive to investors.

The summit will be joined by senior European political figures - including Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Dariusz Standerski, Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs for Poland; and former Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta - to discuss how Europe can act on the warnings from respected European technology CEOs and implement the Draghi and Letta reports. 
The summit will also be addressed by Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia; Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson; Christian Klein, CEO of SAP; and joined by Christophe Fouquet, CEO of ASML.

These CEOs are united in their conviction that digitalization leadership is central to delivering future European prosperity. The CEOS have significant insight and knowledge about how to drive this forward.

Implement the Draghi and Letta reports
The September 2024 Draghi Report recommendations on the future of European competitiveness span a range of actions to foster innovation, incentivize investment in key technologies, enable scale, and reduce fragmentation.

The Draghi Report followed Enrico Letta’s own April 2024 report for the European Council and European Commission called: Much More than a Market: Speed, Security, Solidarity - Empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU Citizens.

Fact Box: The current reality

• Europe’s tech sector lags the US and China.
• The ‘Magnificent Seven’ US tech firms’ R&D spend in 2023 alone was equivalent to 50 percent of Europe’s ENTIRE public and private sector R&D spend across technology and other areas.
• European companies trail in R&D and capital formation (EUR 450 billion gap in tech alone).1
• This gap contributes to a 20 percent productivity disadvantage per year.2
• US firms invest 60 percent more in R&D and lead productivity growth.3
• Europe therefore risks falling further behind.

During the summit Europe’s leadership in connectivity technology development will be highlighted as an example of the how the region has established competitive advantage – but which is currently at risk. Urgent policy actions are required to safeguard Europe’s technology development competitiveness compared to other regions.

The participating CEOs will emphasize that the networks forming the backbone of Europe’s economy and future innovation must be secure and trusted. Advanced connectivity is also critical for the digitalization of defense. The 5G Security Toolbox is vital and needs to be extended to all telecom technologies with its implementation needing to be completed all member states.

A defining moment
Taking the start of the new European Commission mandate as a defining moment for critical action, summit participants will stress that urgent reforms are essential to securing Europe’s future competitiveness, prosperity, and global influence.

Nokia President and CEO, Pekka Lundmark and Ericsson President and CEO, Börje Ekholm are among senior European technology leaders who have been vocal about the need for urgent action to support Europe’s technology sector. The summit marks the first time that Nokia and Ericsson have come together to organize and drive an industrial vision initiative – underlining the importance and urgency both companies give to the issue.

Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Italian Prime Minister, says: “In my 2024 report, I underscored the urgent need for Europe to accelerate investments in advanced connectivity infrastructure to secure its future. The leadership demonstrated by companies like Nokia and Ericsson in fostering collaboration with other European tech innovators, such as ASML and SAP, is commendable. However, to enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the global digital economy, it is essential not only to allow greater telco consolidation but also to prioritize substantial investments in advanced connectivity. This focus is vital for addressing the connectivity gaps across the continent and ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of tech innovation.”

Pekka Lundmark, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nokia, says: “European competitiveness already has one foot in the morgue. Our real GDP is 30% less than the U.S.’s, the EU’s share of the Fortune Global 500 is still falling and our digital future looks less certain than ever. The good news is that we can still turn this tanker around. Europe must create an environment in which businesses want to invest, especially on technologies such as AI, cloud and advanced connectivity. This cannot be a decade-long endeavour. Europe must act right now on issues like the 5G Toolbox and telco mergers. If Europe gets this right, it’s a massive opportunity. Draghi and Letta already provided the framework. So, let’s act.”

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: “The unique coming together of four technology leaders highlights the urgency facing Europe’s economy to decision makers in Member States. Companies like Ericsson already invest disproportionally more in R&D in Europe. If other regions continue to race ahead this model cannot survive. Those regions are embracing opportunity through investment, policy, and regulatory support. Europe is not. Yet the solution is well known. The EU must implement the Draghi and Letta Report recommendations to enable the technology sector to play our part in delivering future European prosperity.”

Christian Klein, CEO, SAP, says: “New technologies will bring growth and higher productivity for Europe. That is why we need to act and drive digitalization across all sectors. Policymakers can support a European tech renaissance by reducing regulatory burdens, incentivizing R&D across the economy, digitizing and modernizing public administration, making Europe more attractive to tech talents, and reshaping education so as to give the next generation a deeper understanding of today’s complex relationships between technological and economic success.”

Fact Box: Action calls

• Don’t debate the Draghi and Letta reports – implement them to foster innovation, incentivize investment in key technologies, enable scale, and reduce fragmentation.
• Strengthen R&D, capital access, and tech champion support.
• Reduce and simplify regulation and enforce a digital single market.
• Fully implement the 5G Security Toolbox: 5G and fiber are critical for digitalization; Secure, trusted networks are vital for economic resilience and innovation.
• Reform competition/M&A guidelines to support market consolidation.
• Set clear targets for 5G deployment and trade spectrum fees for rollout.
• Align connectivity with EU green goals.
• Enforce fair business practices. Withdraw harmful proposals like the current legislative proposal on Standard Essential Patents.

Resources and additional information
1. McKinsey Global Institute June 20, 2024: Investment: Taking the pulse of European competitiveness.
2. ECIPE Policy Brief (p. 20): ECI_24_PolicyBrief_09-2024_LY07.pdf 
3. McKinsey Global Institute June 20, 2024: Investment: Taking the pulse of European competitiveness.

About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

About Ericsson
Ericsson’s high-performing, programmable networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com

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