Nokia Networks and Telecom Italia, the leading Italian ICT group, have come together in a world-first pioneering initiative to inject innovation into the telecommunications ecosystem. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on technology scouting of innovative startups to identify prospective partners in mutually agreed areas such as NFV, SDN, RAN Evolution and next generation SON.
With the proliferation of technologies and the increasing complexity of products and services, startups can help companies implement externally developed solutions and create new business and market opportunities. Under the two-year agreement, Nokia Networks and Telecom Italia will seek and evaluate the innovations, implementing new solutions in their respective portfolios.
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Key terms of the agreement:
- Joint technical scouting of innovative startups in the areas of Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Software-defined Networking (SDN), Radio Access Network (RAN) and next-generation Self Organizing Networks (SON)
- Proof-of-Concept deployments of systems, solutions and services
- Partnership for innovative offerings and investment in technologies
Sandro Dionisi, Executive Vice President and Director of Global Advisory Services at Telecom Italia, said: “Collaborating with Nokia Networks on this scouting program will open up the opportunity to introduce new network technologies in strategic areas, faster than before, guaranteeing the support of a leading OEM like Nokia Networks. The initiative will give us access to innovators, mainly but not only in Silicon Valley, speed up and improve technical development, leading to newer and better services for our consumers.”
Hossein Moiin, Executive Vice President and CTO at Nokia Networks, said: “Startups are a rich source of innovation that can provide building blocks for various telecom and digital services. In particular, we see immense potential in areas such as NFV, SDN, RAN Evolution and SON. Together with Telecom Italia, we will further engage with the wider ecosystem of technology companies, identifying disruptive innovators and developing new solutions in these domains.”
Did you know?
- The number of startups has been exploding all around the world. Joint scouting of innovative start-ups and initiatives can maximize the opportunity of discovering the relevant companies, optimize the outcomes and maximize the impact.
- Nokia Networks and Telecom Italia are longstanding partners for nearly two decades. Throughout the partnership, Nokia Networks has been one of the main infrastructure suppliers to build the operator’s mobile broadband network. Among other important deployments, the companies have also tested the benefits of HSUPA 16QAM technology, collaborated in active antenna development, and implemented innovative software capabilities in Telecom Italia’s Service Operation Center.
About Telecom Italia
With 30 million TIM mobile lines and 12 million retail connections to its fixed network, of which 7 million are broadband accesses, at the end of September 2015, it is the leading ICT group and Italy’s digital partner. Abroad its strength is Brazil, where TIM Brasil, supplying 72.6 million lines, is a major player on the market. Innovation is at the heart of the Group’s strategy and over the 2015-2017 period it will be investing 5 billion euros on the development of new generation technologies, cloud computing,data centres. Its portfolio includes telecommunications, internet, digital contents, cloud services, digital platforms, office and system solutions, offering everyone – consumers, enterprises and institutions -simple and safe tools for the new digital life.
About Nokia
By focusing on the human possibilities of technology, Nokia embraces the connected world to help people thrive. Our three businesses are leaders in their fields: Nokia Networks provides broadband infrastructure, software and services; HERE provides mapping, navigation and location intelligence; and Nokia Technologies provides advanced technology development and licensing.
Nokia Networks, which provides broadband infrastructure, software and services, operates at the forefront of our industry. From the first ever call on GSM to the first call on LTE, we have set the pace of innovation, a record that continues with future technologies such as 5G. Together with our operator customers, who serve close to 5 billion subscribers, we are embracing the opportunity of the connected world and helping to solve its challenges.
Espoo, Finland/ Rome, Italy – 1 December 2015
