The deal includes replacing 2G and 4G infrastructure and upgrading 5G capabilities
MEO, part of the Altice Group and formerly Portugal Telecom, has signed a multi-year contract with Nokia to modernise operator’s RAN infrastructure and upgrade its 5G.
Under the contract, Nokia will supply equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio which is based on its energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology. This includes Massive MIMO, baseband and remote radio head solutions for both indoors and outdoors.
MEO will also deploy Nokia’s MantaRay self-organising network (SON) for optimisation and network assurance.
MEO will rely on Nokia’s Global Delivery Centre in Portugal for project delivery and support services. This collaboration will tap into the vendor’s talent pool, tools and operational capabilities. Nokia also has a 5G R&D facility in Portugal which the vendor says will benefit MEO.
José Pedro Nascimento, Chief Technology Officer at MEO, said, “As a market leader, we are committed to continuously improving our network and always providing the best experience for our customers…This modernisation will enable us to bring in exciting possibilities and generate new value for both individuals and businesses.”
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, added, “MEO is a leading telecommunications operator in Portugal…Together, we aim to unlock the potential of 5G to support the digital transformation of industries and redefine customer experiences.”