Page 32 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

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Nokia Launches Intelligent RAN Operations to Manage the Power of 5G with
Machine Learning

Nokia has announced the launch of its new Intelligent RAN of applications with widely varying service requirements. In this
Operations solution designed to manage the increasing complex environment, operating cost-effective radio networks
complexity of 5G networks through machine learning (ML). The using manual intensive tools or even just automation is no longer
framework and its underlying products enable mobile operators possible. Operators trialing the solution on a live network have
to boost 5G network quality, efficiency, and the subscriber seen an operational efficiency gain of up to 80 percent with
experience while reducing operational costs, energy consumption, zero-touch optimization, and 70 percent fewer issues to resolve,
and CO2 emissions. The solution supports Nokia’s ambitious reducing team workloads and helping ensure consistent network
commitment to sustainability and combatting climate change. quality. The solution also includes intelligent energy-saving
Nokia Intelligent RAN Operations implements several machine features that reduce base station power consumption by up to
learning functionalities that help operators manage network 15 percent, enabling more sustainable operating practices. Nokia
density and complexity. It enables the automation of routine has set sustainability goals to reduce its environmental impact
network management tasks, with a greater ability to detect, and help its customers to do the same. Nokia’s technology
categorize and solve network issues in real-time. This saves is designed to be energy efficient, contributing towards the
time and eliminates human error. 5G networks have ushered in a climate and environmental targets of mobile operators. The
host of new use cases as well as products and services reliant on demonstration shows how machine learning helps automate
ultra-low latency and resiliency. They also support a vast range radio network energy-saving configuration and management
while reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. James
Crawshaw, Principal Analyst at Omdia, said: “As mobile networks
have evolved from 2G through 5G they have become much more
performant and sophisticated. Management and configuration
tools largely kept pace with this evolution - until now. To optimize
operational, capital, and energy efficiency in the 5G era requires
a paradigm shift. Manual configuration of the thousands of
parameters available in network nodes, a ten-fold increase on
4G, is no longer feasible. Operators need automated solutions
that leverage artificial intelligence to augment and relieve human
intelligence which can then be brought to bear on the manifold
RAN operational challenges that computers are not yet able to
solve.” Mark Atkinson, SVP, Radio Access Networks PLM at Nokia,
said: “Nokia’s Intelligent RAN Operations helps operators deliver
5G services to their customers in the most efficient and effective
way possible. Through intelligent machine learning, it boosts
network performance, quality, and the subscriber experience
whilst reducing power consumption and operational costs. Nokia
continually supports its global customer base with innovative
products and solutions that help them to be more sustainable and
deliver better services.”

Nokia Turnaround Picks Up Pace

Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark provided details of a promised a more confident Nokia also plans to reinstate payments to
revision to its long-term outlook, as he again hailed the benefits of shareholders, with a proposed 2021 dividend of €0.08 per share
a strategy shake-up which continues to drive its turnaround. The and a €600 million share buy-back program over two years. The
Finland-based equipment manufacturer replaced its former 2023 vendor last made a dividend payment in 2019. Lundmark stated
outlook with targets covering the next three- to five-years. Broadly, Nokia’s strong performance in 2021 “and a faster than expected
the targets are for net sales to grow faster than the market and reset of our business”, have created the foundations to “move
comparable operating margins of at least 14 per cent, replacing into the next phase of our strategy to deliver growth and expand
its earlier 2023 target of between 11 per cent and 13 per cent. In profitability”. “We have now largely caught up competition in
2022, net sales are predicted to increase to between €22.6 billion 5G,” Lundmark told Reuters. “We have created a foundation for
and €23.8 billion, up from €22.2 billion in 2021, with a comparable growth acceleration, the year of reset is behind us, now we are
operating margin in the range of 11 per cent to 13.5 per cent. accelerating.” He highlighted opportunities in operator rollouts
Nokia reported a comparable operating margin of 12.5 per cent of 5G networks and the “growing” enterprise market, although he
for 2021 as a whole. Thanks to its improved cash generation, warned the global supply chain situation remains tight.

32 FEBRUARY 2022