Nokia Networks is aiming to launch 5G-ready 10GBps cell sites by 2017 to offer fibre-like mobile connectivity to consumers and businesses.
It is the latest attempt by vendors to become the first to launch a viable 5G network, with Huawei planning its own by 2017.
While Ericsson has a range of trials and partnerships in place, it is not publicly looking ahead of the widely cited 5G launch date of 2020.
Trials will take place next year and will work on bringing massive broadband to areas close to fibre but which lack the final connectivity link to the home. The hotspots will be placed on the likes of lamposts to bridge the final gaps.
Nokia said the relevant software in the hotspots will be easily upgradeable once specific 5G standards are defined and established.
Marc Rouanne, Executive Vice-President, Mobile Broadband, Nokia Networks, said: “We have all the building blocks in place to make the first concrete 5G use case a reality as early as in 2017.
“This marks an important foundation for shaping the future of mobile broadband and enabling a personalised gigabit experience for the broadband subscribers in the comfort of their home.”
The announcement follows Nokia Networks revealing its new multi-service 5G architecture last week.
The architecture adapts according to the relevant network requirements, from mission critical machine communications to enhanced IoT networks, by using virtualised software.
In July this year, Nokia Networks demonstrated speeds of 10GBps in a trial with NTT DOCOMO that used 4.9GHz spectrum.