Nokia launches software upgrade to 5G

Nokia on Tuesday rolled out its latest software update which will enable phone users to upgrade their 4G radio stations to new 5G technology without the hassle of visiting the site or replacing equipment. 

The Finnish firm hopes the software will help it in its battle against Huawei and Ericsson for the next wave of 5G orders as the technology should allow carriers to save on costs.

“This solution will save the telecommunications industry potentially tens of billions of euros in site engineering and re-visit costs,” Nokia said in a statement.

Also read: PM Boris Johnson set to ban Huawei from Britain's 5G network

Nokia said the software upgrade was available immediately for about one million radio stations, growing to 3.1 million by the end of the year and to over 5 million in 2021.

“By upgrading existing radio elements via software, Nokia is helping to streamline the process of refarming 4G spectrum into 5G,” the company said.

Last week, Nokia became the first major telecoms equipment maker to commit to adding open interfaces in its products, a trend that will give software a central role in future mobile networks.