Nokia and Nvidia are collaborating to integrate artificial intelligence directly into radio access networks, aiming to create distributed AI platforms. The partnership combines Nvidia’s CUDA platform and Aerial RAN Computer with Nokia’s anyRAN software. This integration is designed to enhance signal processing and improve performance for both 5G and future 6G networks.
Laboratory testing of AI-enhanced channel estimation has shown uplink throughput gains of 10-15%. The companies have set a roadmap targeting a 50% increase in spectrum efficiency by 2027, with a goal to achieve a 100% gain by 2028. These developments are intended to optimize existing network infrastructure.
T-Mobile conducted the first live AI-RAN call on October 21, 2026, at a commercial site in Bellevue, Washington, utilizing Nokia’s Massive MIMO radios and Nvidia ARC servers. Currently, nearly 20 telecom operators, including BT, Deutsche Telekom, and SoftBank, are working with this technology in preparation for trials.
Full commercial deployments of AI-RAN are expected to begin in 2027. Additionally, Nokia plans to introduce a sovereign agentic AI platform and new configurations for its Aerial RAN Computer to expand the ecosystem for AI applications at the network edge.
The partnership originated on October 28, 2025, when Nvidia acquired a 2.9% stake in Nokia through a $1 billion equity investment.
