Only four months after spectrum licenses were awarded, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has completed the first stage of Colombia’s largest 5G deployment covering over 1,000 sites nationwide, according to the manufacturer. América Móvil (NYSE: AMX), operating under the brand Claro Colombia, will operate the network.
“Today, we mark a new milestone in telecommunications by being the first to use 5G speed to connect broadband internet to Colombian homes,” said Rodrigo de Gusmao, President of Claro Colombia. “We will start in Medellín, but soon we will expand it to Bogotá, Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena and Barranquilla and to other 14 cities that we will connect this year to 5G.”
Nokia supplied its AirScale portfolio including base stations, high-capacity Massive MIMO antennas and remote radio heads. The company has also signed a further deal to deploy additional 400 5G sites. Additionally, it will provide its MantaRay NM solution for seamless network management and MantaRay SON for automated operations as well as network optimization and technical support services.
Claro will provide fixed wireless access to the internet service over the 5G mobile network, allowing up to 10 devices to be connected at home. “Claro’s highest purpose is to continue investing, innovating and connecting all Colombians to broadband Internet at the lowest possible cost,” de Gusmao said.
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