Nokia signs agreements worth above EUR 2 bn with three Chinese operators

Mobile technology major Nokia has inked contracts with China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai today. The three separate frame agreements are of a combined value of more than EUR 2 billion with the three Chinese telecom giants.

Under the agreements, Nokia will deploy technologies and services to improve performance in fixed and mobile broadband networks across China to meet ever-growing demand as operators transition towards 5G. Demand for the internet, particularly on a mobile device, continues to rise in China, the world's most populous country. China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom will leverage products and services from across Nokia's end-to-end portfolio, through to the end of 2019, to enhance speed, reliability, and capacity in their networks.

Mike Wang, President of Nokia Shanghai Bell, said: "We are excited to continue our close collaboration with these important customers in China, to drive new levels of network performance as they transition toward 5G. Leveraging the breadth of our end-to-end network and services capabilities, we will work closely with China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom to deploy technologies that meet their specific business needs."

These agreements mean that Nokia will deliver technologies and expertise across China for China Mobile: radio access, core, passive optical networks, IP routing and optical transport, SDN, network management, and professional services. Nokia will support China Telecom to improve country-wide 4G LTE coverage and hotspot capacity.

On the other hand for China Telecom, Nokia will provide its end-to-end portfolio and solutions including FDD-LTE radio access, home CPE solutions, core routers, multi-service edge routers, and optics as well as its services expertise. Both parties will also enhance 5G cooperation and accelerate China's 5G progress.

Nokia will help China Unicom deploy technologies across the country including Nokia FDD-LTE radio access, Multi-access Edge Computing, virtualized IMS, SDN, IP routing and optical transport, and fixed network equipment. Working with Nokia, China Unicom aims to enhance network quality and capacity to grow its 4G LTE customer base, while researching and developing the expansion of IoT services and the evolution to 5G, including the use of artificial intelligence in networks.

Nokia will provide its services expertise under the frame agreements, including network planning, implementation, systems integration, maintenance, and performance optimization.