Finland-based Nokia announced its optical core network deal with global telecom operator Telenor to enhance bandwidth capacity in Norway and Sweden.

This is the first telecom equipment deal announced by Nokia in the year 2018. Nokia competes with Ericsson, Huwaei and ZTE in the telecom equipment space. In fact, Nokia has not disclosed any major optical network deals in the year 2017.

The strategy of Telenor is looking to increase bandwidth capacity by replacing its current optical core network connecting major centers across Norway and Sweden.

Driving the need for the new multi-terabit capacity are the coming evolution to 5G mobile, growing consumer demand for online video and internet usage, and the increasing use of cloud applications and the associated need for data center interconnections.

Telenor is yet to make any announcement on 5G strategy. Nokia believes that optical core network deal will assist Telenor to pave way for 5G roll outs in future. Nokia did not divulge details on the size of the optical core network contract.

The new optical network will feature Nokia’s coherent optical transmission technology — built on Nokia’s wavelength routing (CDC-F) – ensuring flexibility and dynamic network management and automation. Telenor will benefit the network that offers an SDN-ready platform that offers efficient way to automate, optimize and assure network services.

Nokia said most of the operations of its optical backbone network has been certified compliant with the ISO27001 information security standards. In other cases, the optical backbone has satisfactorily demonstrated conformance to the ISO27001 information security standards.

“This resilient and secure optical backbone will play a critical role in deploying next-generation services to Telenor customers in Norway and Sweden, and help the customer prepare for the demands of 5G,” said Nicolas Almendro, head of Europe & MEA Optics Business Development at Nokia.

Baburajan K