A step toward 5G: Elisa the first company in Finland to test capacity improving technology that will take base stations into the cloud

Cloud RAN technology facilitates virtual management of base stations. Base station capacity can be transferred within the cloud, guaranteeing customers even faster and more reliable connections. The new technology is a concrete step toward 5G as the same technology can also be used when building 5G networks.

Elisa took a step toward 5G networks with testing Nokia's Cloud RAN (Radio Access Network) technology at Nokia headquarters in Espoo, Finland. The technology enables base stations to be taken into the cloud and makes them easier to program. Elisa is the first telecoms operator in Finland to test the technology on a commercial network.

For customers, the new technology means faster and more reliable mobile connections. When the base stations are in the cloud their capacity can be managed remotely and updates are easier to implement.

- Cloud RAN technology enables capacity to be transferred from one base station to another virtually - previously, this would require base stations to be moved. In the future, it will be possible to shift capacity at the end of a working day from office districts to shopping centres and residential areas, and networks will not get congested, saysSami Komulainen, Elisa's Vice President with responsibility for mobile networks.

5G networks will also be based on cloud technology

5G networks will be based almost entirely on cloud technology, and Cloud RAN can be used when building 5G networks. However, use of Cloud RAN technology has many advantages also before 5G networks are deployed as it helps to manage the explosive mobile data growth cost-effectively and with a high standard of quality.

- Elisa is an excellent partner in testing and developing new technologies as its customers use huge amounts of data. Elisa's mobile data customers consume an average of 15 gigabytes of mobile data every month. That is an enormous amount also by international comparison. We are therefore able to test our technology on real heavy users, saysPekka Sundström, Account Director at Nokia.

This year, Elisa will more widely deploy technology which enables base stations to be virtualized. Elisa has also tested the NB-IoT network technology in establishing connections between devices.

Additional information:
Elisa Communications, [phone], [e-mail]
Nokia Communications, [phone], [e-mail]

Elisais a telecommunications, ICT and online service company serving 2.3 million consumer, corporate and public administration organisation customers. Elisa provides environmentally sustainable services for communication and entertainment, and tools for improving operating methods and productivity of organisations. In Finland Elisa is the market leader in mobile subscriptions. Cooperation with Vodafone and Telenor enables globally competitive services. Elisa is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Large Cap with approximately 200 000 shareholders. Elisa's revenue in 2015 was 1.57 billion euros and it employed 4,100 people. www.elisa.com

Nokiais a global leader in creating the technologies at the heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing. From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology for people's changing needs. www.nokia.com