Nokia to expand Taiwan Mobile’s 5G network with AI-based automation

Nokia will expand Taiwan Mobile’s 5G network across Taiwan with new radio equipment, baseband systems and software designed to automate more of the operator’s day-to-day network management.

The agreement combines additional network capacity with tools for predictive maintenance, traffic management and energy control. Taiwan Mobile plans to use the deployment to improve performance and service continuity while preparing its infrastructure for higher volumes of traffic generated by AI applications.

Automation will cover maintenance and traffic management

Nokia will deploy its AirScale portfolio, including new radios and baseband systems, to increase network capacity and improve uplink performance. These hardware upgrades will be supported by software that monitors network conditions and adjusts operations in real time.

The package includes Nokia’s Predictive Hardware Analytics service, which is intended to identify potential equipment problems before they affect the network. MantaRay SON, Nokia’s self-organising network software, will automate parts of performance management and network assurance.

Together, these systems are intended to reduce manual intervention and help Taiwan Mobile respond more quickly to changes in demand. Traffic steering tools will redirect network resources when conditions change, while self-healing functions will support service continuity during disruptions.

Nokia expects the combination of hardware and software to improve throughput and spectrum efficiency while reducing operational complexity. The upgraded network will also support additional 5G capabilities, including network slicing and RedCap.

Energy use will adjust with network demand

Energy management is built into the same deployment. Nokia’s software will adjust power consumption according to traffic levels, reducing energy use during quieter periods and increasing capacity when demand rises.

Taiwan Mobile plans to use these controls to support its sustainability targets and operate a lower-carbon network. The operator also expects predictive maintenance and automated management to lower the overall cost of running its infrastructure.

Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, described the deployment as preparation for 5G-Advanced services and rising volumes of AI-related traffic. He also linked the project to improvements in network automation, performance and energy efficiency.

Taiwan Mobile President Jamie Lin connected the agreement to the company’s wider Telco+Tech business strategy. The operator plans to use the expanded infrastructure to support service development while improving resilience and energy management across its network.