Nokia has signed a prime deal with BT, replacing Huawei to supply 5G networks across the UK. BT is one of the biggest telecom groups in the UK.
Nokia to provide 5G equipment and services across the country, as a result of the deal with BT
This announcement has come after the UK government stated that it would ban Huawei equipment from the 5G network rollout. The CEO of the BT Group, Philips Jensen said that it is crucial that they select the correct technology in this speeding and competitive market.
Nokia will provide 5G equipment and services at 11,600 BT radio sites across the UK, as per the deal with BT Group. The telecom group will provide indoor and outdoor coverage to its customers using Nokia’s AirScale Single Ran (S-RAN) equipment. It includes base stations and radio access products.
Finnish telecom group to account for 63% of the BT Group’s entire network
Nokia said that it would become BT’s largest infrastructure partner with this deal. The telecom multinational will be accounting for 63% of BT’s entire network. Currently, the financial terms of the deal are yet unknown.
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Peter Lundmark, the president and CEO of Nokia said that he is proud to support the BT group in developing its 5G network. He further said that both the companies worked together closely for over a century to deliver world-class connectivity across the country.
Nokia and Ericsson receive a big boost in the UK as a result of the ban on Huawei
UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden had stated in July that mobile operators in the country would be not be allowed to buy equipment from Huawei by the end of the year. Also, they would be required to strip Huawei equipment from its infrastructure by 2027.
It seems a major turnaround since previously Huawei was provided with restricted access to the country’s next-generation mobile networks. Also, as per earlier guidelines, mobile operators were asked to reduce the share of Huawei kit to 35% in noncore parts of their infrastructure by 2023.
With this ban on Huawei, companies like Nokia and Ericsson have received a much-required boost but, industry watchers have also warned them of the difficulty in fulfilling the increasing demand left by the market leader.