Nokia has launched what it calls the industry’s first commercial AI-RAN platform, built with NVIDIA, as telecom operators prepare for AI-driven mobile networks. The company says the platform will improve spectrum efficiency, lower network costs, and provide a software-based upgrade path toward 6G.
Nokia said its new AI-RAN platform, an artificial intelligence-powered radio access network technology, combines its AI-native anyRAN software with NVIDIA’s Aerial AI-RAN platform to help telecom operators get more capacity from existing spectrum and radio infrastructure.
We are launching the industry’s first commercial AI-native #AIRAN platform built on @NVIDIA accelerated computing, marking one of the most significant shifts in radio network architecture in decades and providing operators with a practical path to AI Native Networks.
Read more:… pic.twitter.com/3ThlGwz7bc— Nokia (@nokia) July 15, 2026
The company said the platform has already delivered more than 20% gains in spectral efficiency through AI-powered radio optimization. It expects those gains to reach 50% by 2027 and exceed 100% by 2028, allowing operators to carry more traffic without adding new spectrum.
The platform supports three deployment options, including an upgrade card for Nokia’s existing AirScale systems, a standalone AI-RAN node, and cloud-based deployments using commercial off-the-shelf servers. Nokia also said the platform complies with Open RAN standards, allowing operators to work with equipment from different vendors. Pilot deployments are expected to begin later this year, while commercial availability is planned for 2027.
Software subscriptions replace hardware upgrade cycles
Nokia is also introducing a subscription-based software model for the platform.Instead of waiting for new hardware releases, operators will receive AI algorithms, network optimization tools, security improvements, and new radio features through software updates.
The company said this approach allows telecom providers to improve network performance while extending the life of existing infrastructure. The platform also supports 4G, 5G, and future 6G workloads on the same software architecture.
How AI-RAN is changing the telecom equipment market
Competition among telecom equipment makers is moving beyond faster radios and larger hardware deployments. AI-RAN has become the next area of competition as vendors race to help operators handle growing data demand without constantly buying new spectrum or replacing existing equipment.
Ericsson, Samsung, Fujitsu, and several other network vendors have introduced AI-RAN projects over the past year, while NVIDIA has pushed its AI chips into telecom infrastructure through partnerships with equipment makers. Companies are now competing to provide software that uses artificial intelligence to improve network performance, increase spectrum efficiency, and support future 6G services.
Nokia’s latest platform fits into that race by combining AI software, accelerated computing, and Open RAN support in a commercial product. Similarly, Nebius launched a Physical AI Living Lab aimed at helping robotics startups in the UK and Europe build and deploy advanced AI systems using NVIDIA technology and its own AI cloud infrastructure.
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