AT&T has inked a significant multi-year deal with Nokia to upgrade and expand its fibre network infrastructure across the US. Over the next five years, Nokia will provide essential fixed broadband equipment to improve existing infrastructure and support future network growth. This partnership aims to enhance broadband access for millions and automate AT&T’s network operations.
Chris Sambar, Head of Network at AT&T, noted that this fibre expansion is vital for laying the groundwork for the next wave of digital innovations. “This expansion will not only enhance broadband access for millions of customers but also sets the stage for the next wave of digital innovation, including Industry 4.0, smart cities, IoT applications, and ultra-high-definition streaming,” he said.
The collaboration will also open the door to a range of Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies on the same platform, as highlighted by Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia. “Our fibre solution opens the door to a full range of PON technologies available on the same platform and fibre,” she stated, asserting that this includes current 10/25G PON and future 50/100G PON technologies.
This agreement comes just months after Nokia lost a $14 billion contract to rival equipment maker Ericsson. In that deal, AT&T selected Ericsson as its Open RAN equipment supplier, leading to Ericsson tech replacing Nokia gear in certain areas. This decision aimed to have Open RAN gear carry 70% of AT&T’s wireless traffic by the end of 2026.
This new deal with AT&T signifies a renewed opportunity for Nokia to assert its market presence in the US infrastructure space. The focus on fibre technology represents a critical shift as both companies aim to future-proof their offerings and support the growth of cutting-edge digital services.
