Nokia launches first AI-native RAN platform with NVIDIA
Nokia announced the industry's first commercial AI-RAN platform, developed with NVIDIA, to deliver over 100% spectral efficiency gains by 2028. The platform, built on AI-native anyRAN software and NVIDIA’s Aerial technology, supports 4G, 5G, and 6G workloads. Pilot deployments are set for late 2026, with commercial availability in 2027.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Nokia announced the launch of the industry's first commercial AI-RAN platform on 15 July 2026, marking a significant shift in radio network architecture. Built on Nokia’s AI-native anyRAN software and NVIDIA’s Aerial AI-RAN platform, the solution aims to deliver more than 100% spectral efficiency gains by 2028. This advancement allows telecommunication providers to double the capacity of existing spectrum assets without relying on traditional hardware upgrade cycles. The platform combines Nokia’s software with NVIDIA Corporation’s accelerated computing technology to transform the Radio Access Network (RAN) into a planet-scale AI computer.
The AI-RAN platform has already demonstrated more than 20% spectral efficiency gains through AI-driven radio innovations. Nokia is on track to deliver 50% gains by 2027 and over 100% by 2028. These improvements are designed to help providers carry significantly more traffic in dense cells while reducing cost per bit and enhancing customer experience. The architecture supports 4G, 5G, and future 6G workloads on a common platform and can be deployed with existing Nokia or ORAN-compliant radio units.
Strategic partnerships and adoption
Nokia’s AI-RAN platform is built on a common software-defined architecture, offering three hardware platform options to accommodate diverse network strategies. These options include an expansion card for existing AirScale deployments, a standalone AI-RAN node, and cloud-native AI-RAN COTS server solutions delivered through ecosystem partners. Nokia’s anyRAN software will support these three new accelerated computing baseband platforms, while its broader portfolio will remain fully O-RAN compliant, allowing operators to upgrade networks at their preferred pace.
| Adoption Path | Description |
|---|---|
| AirScale Capacity Plug-in | GPU-powered unit for existing Nokia customers integrating NVIDIA accelerated computing. |
| Standalone AI-RAN Node | Industry-first GPU-powered node for maximum deployment flexibility and performance. |
| Cloud-Native AI-RAN | COTS server solutions for operators embracing cloud-native architectures. |
Commercial availability and roadmap
Telecommunication providers can adopt AI-RAN in stages using the approach that best matches their deployment strategy and installed base. The solutions will enter pilot deployments at the end of 2026 and become commercially available in 2027. A new software subscription model allows providers to benefit from AI innovation and performance enhancements without waiting for hardware refresh cycles, enabling continuous improvement in network performance and economics.
How will competitors like Ericsson and Huawei respond to Nokia's early lead in commercial AI-RAN platforms?
What impact will the new software subscription model have on Nokia's long-term revenue stability and hardware sales?
To what extent will the shift to AI-driven RAN accelerate the industry's transition toward Open RAN standards?

























