Three launches 5G-ready core network; Vodafone expands its 5G footprint

Yesterday (16 July) Three UK and Nokia announced that they have launched what they claim is the world’s first 5G-ready fully integrated cloud core network, in preparation for Three’s 5G rollout.

According to two companies, the new core network provides increased security, flexibility and cost settings, while allowing Three to scale more quickly and efficiently. It will underpin the launch of Three’s 5G network which will launch in August. The core network will be managed from 20 new data centres which have been geographically located based on Three’s customer base to reduce the latency that they will experience.

The core network has already been tested with the aid of 3,500 Three employees and the company has started to migrate 4G customer traffic onto it. This will continue throughout 2019.

The delivery of the cloud core network involved a complex integration of products and services from across the Nokia portfolio and is part of Three’s £2bn 5G infrastructure investment programme. Nokia will also provide essential systems integration, security, and managed services capabilities, alongside its routing, software and mobile radio technology.

Affirmed Networks and Mavenir’s applications for traffic management and messaging respectively are running on the Nokia cloud core and Three is also working with Exfo, Mycom and BMC for operational Support system solutions which are used to manage the Nokia cloud core and the RAN (radio access network) and IT systems.