Nokia won a five-year deal to provide 5G network infrastructure to Norwegian mobile operator Ice.
Deployment is already underway and continues until 2026. The project includes modernizing about 3,200 existing base stations and adding 3,900 new base stations.
Ice is Norway’s smallest mobile network operator and turned on 5G in Oslo last year. Telenor Norway and Telia Norway also offer 5G.
Nokia, which already has a long-standing partnership with Ice, said the deployment includes Single RAN, AirScale base stations and high-capacity 5G Massive MIMO antennas to support various spectrum bands. Nokia also is providing its network management, optimization and technical support services.
Lyse acquired Ice earlier this year; it also owns fiber broadband provider Altibox.
Ice has more than 700,000 customers and its 4G and 5G network covers 95% of the population in Norway. Collectively, the companies manage nationwide digital infrastructure as well as mobile frequencies for both 4G and 5G. Under this new arrangement, Ice and Altibox will be able to add new services to their competitive fixed and mobile offer, such as 5G fixed wireless access (FWA), according to a press release.
“This deal highlights our continued commitment to investing in our network and giving our subscribers the best possible connectivity experiences,” said Ice CEO Eivind Helgaker in a statement. “Nokia has been our technology partner from the very beginning and through active competition they have again convinced us that they are still the right choice.”
Nokia Mobile Networks President Tommi Uitto said this is a particularly exciting phase for Ice as 5G is picking up pace in Norway and Ice is establishing a competitive position in the market.
“We are proud to continue our journey as its long-term partner. We have already made great progress with the deployment of 5G services across the country and this new deal will extend coverage to new areas while improving the coverage and performance of the existing footprint,” Uitto said in a statement. “Our industry has a big role to play in the green transition of societies, and our energy-efficient AirScale portfolio supports Ice’s commitments to sustainability.”