Nokia is conducting a 5G standalone (SA) network trial with Chubu Telecommunications Co, (ctc), a subsidiary of KDDI, in Japan.
Nokia is supplying its AirScale products and Compact Mobility Unit (CMU) to support both 5G indoor and outdoor connectivity. The trial will utilize a local 5G network which is independent of a traditional mobile network and use the Sub-6GHz (n79) 4.6-4.9 spectrum band for enhanced capacity.

Nokia said the high-band Sub-6GHz spectrum supports high capacity and extreme mobile broadband capabilities.

The trial will verify how Nokia’s 5G SA network can enable ctc to provide commercial high-speed, high-capacity, low latency Fixed Wireless Access services including Internet, telephone to subscribers without the need for a fiber-optic installation at a customer’s home. This is expected to shorten service delivery times.

Nokia has installed a 5G SA core at a ctc Lab in Japan, and 5G base stations at another ctc Lab and at an apartment complex in Nagoya City. Nokia can build local 5G networks ahead of time in areas where mobile network services are not yet deployed and have the flexibility to configure the required performance. They are also less susceptible to communication failures or disasters in other locations, Nokia said.

“With this trial, our effort is to explore the best of local 5G to deliver a high-speed, best-in-class ultra-broadband experience to our customers while preparing for practical use,” Kazuhide Yokoi, Director, Corporate Strategy, Chubu Telecommunications, said.

“Our 5G standalone in the Sub-6 spectrum band will enable ctc to explore new capabilities and revenue opportunities while enhancing its network’s operational efficiency. A commercial local 5G SA service will further enable ctc to deliver superior service, capacity, and reliability to its customers,” Donny Janssens, Head of Customer Team, Nokia Enterprise Japan, said.