Nokia is set to lay the foundations for T-Mobile to build a 5G network after the two companies agreed a $3.5 billion deal.
The multi-year agreement will see Nokia provide end-to-end 5G technology, software and services, assisting the mobile operator in its efforts to bring a 5G network to market for customers.
Nokia will also help to build T-Mobile's 5G network across the US, with 600MHz and 28GHz millimetre wave 5G capabilities compliant with 3GPP 5G new radio standards.
"We are all in on 5G," said Neville Ray, chief technology officer at T-Mobile. "Every dollar we spend is a 5G dollar and our agreement with Nokia underscores the kind of investment we're making to bring customers a mobile, nationwide 5G network."
To do this, T-Mobile will leverage multiple products across Nokia's end-to-end 5G service portfolio, including commercial AirScale radio platforms and cloud-native core, AirFrame hardware, CloudBand software, SON and 5G Acceleration Services.
The two companies have agreed to develop, test and launch the next generation of connectivity services, targeting smart cities, government agencies and industries like utilities, transportation, health, manufacturing, retail and agriculture.
"Nokia and T-Mobile will advance the large-scale deployment of 5G services throughout the United States," said Ashish Chowdhary, chief customer operations officer, Nokia.
"This is a testament to our companies' strong and productive working relationship, one which has produced several important technological milestones in recent months, and which now allows us to make 5G a commercial reality."
The race to develop and deploy 5G is pushing the technology further towards becoming a reality, with some estimates suggesting it will become available in 2020, though others don't expect it to arrive until 2025. It promises to enable faster speeds, massive connectivity, decade-long battery life for sensors and super-responsive and reliable networks for customers.
T-Mobile is the latest mobile operator to announce an investment in 5G, while Nokia is competing with providers like Ericsson and Huawei, who are both looking for new opportunities to expand their 5G operations.
Just last week the UK government announced proposals to roll out full fibre broadband around the UK by 2025 as it looks to lay the foundations for a 5G future.
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