Eolo and Nokia to Deploy 5G SA mmWave Network in Italy

Nokia struck a deal with Italian Eolo to deploy Europe’s first standalone 5G mmWave network in Europe. The deal supports Eolo’s ambitions to connect underserved communities, helping to bridge the digital divide and the digital speed divide in Italy.

The Finnish vendor would supply equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio for the deployment, as well as use its compact Shikra mmWave radios to provide connectivity. It explained Shikra is well-suited for dense, urban environments such as shopping malls and sports stadiums, as well as support services that rely on real-time connectivity such as high-definition video streaming and augmented reality.

For Eolo, the company is looking to use the high-band mmWave network to support its ambition to bridge Italy’s digital divide, both in terms of speed and coverage. Nokia added its mmWave radios can also deliver Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services to rural or underserved communities where traditional fixed infrastructure may be “impractical or expensive to deploy”.

The European mmWave market is expected to get a further boost next year, with UK regulator Ofcom set to hold an auction for the spectrum next year. Spectrum is set to be auctioned in the 25.1-27.5GHz and 40.5-43.5GHz bands, with the regulator citing its suitability for places where there are lots of people, like stadiums, busy streets, concert venues, and train stations.