1h | Saf Malik
Capacity shares five key stories making headlines around the world today.
Nokia selected by GO Malta for 5G deployment
Nokia has announced it has been selected as GO Malta’s sole strategic partner for a nationwide 5G RAN rollout.
The seven-year deal will see the introduction of Nokia’s mobile connectivity to Go’s consumer and enterprise customers.
Nokia and GO Malta have worked together since 2007.
Tommi Uitto, president of mobile networks at Nokia, stated: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with GO with the introduction of 5G services in Malta. Our latest AirScale portfolio will support GO’s ambitions for super-fast mobile connectivity that will support the foundations for cutting-edge new use cases.
“We look forward to delivering on this project and introducing a range of new use cases underpinned by our technology.”
Blackstone acquires stake in Phoenix Tower International
Blackstone Infrastructure Partners have bought a 35% stake in private cell tower platform Phoenix Tower International (PTI) from Manulife Investment Management.
Phoenix Tower International operates over 14,000 cell towers across 18 countries throughout the Americas and Europe.
Commenting on the announcement, Greg Blank, senior managing director in Blackstone’s infrastructure business said, “We are thrilled to partner with Dagan Kasavana and the entire PTI team.
“Cell towers represent one of the highest-quality and most durable infrastructure asset classes given their mission critical nature and long-term growth tailwinds. We look forward to supporting PTI’s continued growth and expansion by leveraging Blackstone’s scale and resources.”
Verizon signs REPs for 910MWs
Verizon has signed seven new Renewable Energy Purchase Agreements (REPAs) for an aggregate of around 910 megawatts (MW) of projected renewable energy capacity.
These agreements come as the company aims to achieve its goal to source or generate renewable energy equivalent to 50% of its total electrical consumption by 2025.
The seven new agreements bring the cumulative number of REPAs, signed since December 2019, to 20, and the cumulative aggregate amount of contracted renewable energy capacity to approximately 2.6 gigawatts (GW).
Verizon’s new REPAs are virtual power purchase agreements and are expected to help finance the powering of seven new solar and wind facilities that are under development.
Infovista launches RF planning engine for operators
Infovista has announced it is launching an AI-powered RF planning engine to help mobile operators make network-wide 5G RAN planning decisions.
Planet Cloud will allow operators to scale 4G and 5G network models to the size of whole countries and will provide automated network planning services within workflows such as nationwide coverage and optimisations.
It will also help vendors to improve radio network design quality, roll out next generation networks faster ad improve network CAPEX and OPEX efficiency.
Régis Lerbour, VP for research and development and product management for RAN engineering at Infovista said: “The scale of the network challenge facing operators is already significant, and only increasing.
“Whether it is building-out a nationwide network beyond initial city deployments, understanding how to dynamically share 4G and 5G spectrum or maximizing the effectiveness of the latest RF technologies, operators need to be able to draw on unparalleled scale and automation.
Liberty Latin America and Vecima deploy DAA architecture
Liberty Latin America is collaborating with Vecima deploying its Distribution Access Architecture to deliver enhanced broadband services to its customers.
With the solution, Liberty Latin America says it can effectively reuse its existing IP/MPLS and video infrastructure to “rapidly extend services into new areas and reduce new build and upgrade costs across the region”.
Rafael Buigas, vice president of mobile and access networks at Liberty Latin America said: “Vecima’s DAA solution plays a critical role in helping us extend the reach and capacity of our network today with DOCSIS 3.0 and soon with DOCSIS 3.1.
“Vecima’s unique approach to DAA gives us the tools we need to maximize investments, expand our network and deploy new ultra-broadband services that deliver the best possible experience for our customers”
