• Nokia Drone Networks, available for purchase, lease or one-off flight hire are bundled with compelling services delivering lower cost of ownership so more enterprises and service providers can take advantage of industrial drones.
• Nokia and its partners within the private wireless space, such as DXC Technology, will collaborate with regulators and the industry ecosystem for flight approvals to achieve drone innovation and safety.
• Backed by 4G/LTE and 5G connectivity for safe, reliable and Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, NDN will allow enterprises to see fastest return on investment, when deployed with Nokia Digital Automation Cloud private wireless-as-a-Service.

Nokia announced the extension of a Drones-as-a-Service partner program with existing private wireless partners to provide Nokia Drone Networks benefits to industries in North America.

Through this collaboration, enterprises and service providers will be able to rapidly realize the capabilities of drones, in a way that meets the needs of their business as well as benefit from new use cases and revenue streams.

Enterprises can opt to purchase the Nokia Drone Networks industrial grade drone-in-a-box solution or minimize upfront capital expense by leasing, sharing or simply hiring drones for one-off or regularly scheduled flights. Nokia and the members of its partner program will offer bundled service packages tailored to the needs of enterprises, including managing data analytics or drone maintenance. The companies will also manage flight scheduling, working with relevant spectrum and airspace regulators to gain approvals, where required.

Drone service providers will benefit from being able to diversify their offering to more industries and realize new revenue streams. This is made possible through Nokia’s commitment to collaborating with industry partners, allowing users to customize the payloads, to meet their business needs.

Companies that choose to deploy or lease Nokia Drone Networks will benefit from an end-to-end solution, which has recently received certification from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for operation in North America.

Nokia Drone Networks uses public and private 4G/LTE and 5G network connectivity for the greatest reliability and safety of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. Operated remotely for one-off or scheduled flights, the solution benefits from a highly ruggedized docking station that doubles as a recharging station. This makes it possible for enterprises to rely on the solution to realize new efficiencies and capabilities such as surveillance at remote facilities, environmental or stockpile monitoring at a mine, managing inspections in hazardous locations or for public safety search and rescue operations.

Deployed in conjunction with Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) and Nokia MX Industrial Edge at their campus network, enterprises will be able to leverage robust, reliable connectivity, service predictability and the ability to process data obtained from the drones in real-time, on-premises to open the door to an array of innovative use cases and accelerate their return on investment.

Stephan Litjens, Vice President of Enterprise Campus Edge Solutions at Nokia, says: “We are pleased to leverage our existing private wireless partnerships, such as the one with DXC Technology to offer Drones-as-a-Service to the North American market. This allows us to offer our innovative solution in a way that meets the complex needs of any enterprise or industry. Through our work with partners across all regions, we’ll maintain a strong collaboration with spectrum and airspace regulators and the ecosystem to ensure we balance innovation with safety for customer flights.”

While visiting Nokia in Espoo, to witness the Drone use cases firsthand, the DXC Team stated: “We want our customers to book a drone flight with the simplicity of hailing a ride-share. Enterprises will benefit from simplicity, leveraging a complete FCC certified drone-in-a-box solution provided by a single vendor without headaches as we manage the flight approval for them working with the relevant authorities. They can adopt drones however it makes sense for their business. And those that choose to deploy the drone-in-a-box solution alongside Nokia DAC private wireless will leverage the greatest capabilities, unlocking new use cases for the fastest return on investment.”

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• The Nokia Drone Networks platform including 70 Drone-in-a-Box units, will provide secure 5G-connected drone services across Belgium
• Equipped with video and thermal cameras, drones are on stand-by 24/7 and remotely managed from five centralized operations centers
• Real-time, aerial data collection in the critical first minutes supports informed response by emergency services which can receive more than 2 million calls per year

Nokia today announced a first-of-its-kind contract with Belgian telecom operator Citymesh to supply its Nokia Drone Networks platform with 70 Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) units.

This is enough to blanket Belgium with a 5G automated drone grid that informs and speeds resource mobilization in emergency events.

Branded SENSE by Citymesh, the 70 drones are deployed in 35 emergency zones across the country and will gather information in the critical 15-minute period immediately following a call. This ensures that first responder teams are fully apprised of and equipped to respond to each unique situation.

Belgium’s emergency services can receive more than two million calls a year, and typically police and fire brigades are dispatched with incomplete data that can stymie the efficiency of their response. With Nokia Drone Networks, pilots will be able to operate 24/7 and dispatch drones from docking stations strategically located across the country.

Equipped with high definition and AI-enhanced thermal imaging, drones capture real-time aerial footage – such as smoke plumes, fire parameters, and number/location of people – and transfer it to control centers even before emergency teams have had time to leave. These aerial images are essential to identifying a plan of action that can save lives and limit damage to affected assets and natural resources.

Hans Similon, General Manager, Citymesh Safety Drone, said: “SENSE is a great example of how technology can save lives. We’ve been impressed with Nokia as our partner for reliable wireless connectivity and an outstanding turnkey Drone-in-a-Box solution that we can customize to our specific needs. Together, we’re making Belgium safer and proving just how innovative we are as a nation.”

Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions, Nokia, said: “We are proud to be selected by Citymesh as the turnkey 5G Drone-in-a-Box platform provider for SENSE. Our 5G-connected drone platform is a logical extension of our leadership in building nationwide wireless networks.”

“Nokia Drone Networks is a game-changer for operational efficiency of first responders and data security. Enabled by Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE), it ensures that collected data is stored locally and stays under the full control of authorities.”

Nationwide availability of SENSE follows pilot projects in the Fluvia fire brigade in Kortrijk, Brussels Airport Company, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and the city of Genk, with the support of the Federal Public Service Economy.

The Nokia Drone Networks solution connects to public and private 4G and 5G networks to enhance situational awareness for first responders and other professionals. It can be operated remotely and complies with aviation regulatory bodies such as EASA in Europe and FAA in the United States.

The platform is equipped with a dual gimbal camera, docking station, and edge data processing, and it is supported by an open API framework that allows integration of third-party applications to expand its capabilities for a wider range of use cases.

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• Nokia first to offer CE-certified turnkey automated drone solution, connected over 4G/LTE and 5G, including drones with dual gimbal camera, docking station, and edge data processing.
• Use of Nokia Drone Networks docking station enables 24/7 fully remote drone operations and charging.
• Open API framework allows integration of third-party applications for extensive customization of the solution to expand use cases and capabilities.

Nokia today revealed it is the first to offer a CE-certified, turnkey drone-in-a-box solution, designed to meet the growing demands of organizations including public safety agencies, smart cities, construction, energy and defense.

CE-certified to meet safety requirements of the European Union, the Nokia Drone Networks solution connects over public and private 4G/LTE and 5G networks to enhance situational awareness for first responders and other professionals.

The solution is manufactured in Europe and comprises Nokia drones, docking station, dual gimbal camera and edge cloud processing using Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). By connecting over public and private 4G/LTE and 5G networks, customers will benefit from the highest reliability. Using cellular connectivity technologies also offers higher data rates and lower latency enabling more data to be streamed than over Wi-Fi. Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations with real-time kinetic (RTK) positioning improves situational awareness. Dual modem connectivity allows Nokia drones to simultaneously connect to multiple networks, complying with system redundancy that is commonly required by aviation regulatory bodies.

The Nokia Drone Networks solution can be operated remotely for search and rescue activities, and to assess damage in a hazardous environment. Nokia drones can also be programmed to manage autonomous scheduled flights for applications like additional security at large events or to manage regular remote equipment inspections. The docking station protects the drone and payload, such as the sensor devices or dual gimbal camera, from external hazards and harsh weather while it remotely charges the drone to prepare for the next flight.

When used in conjunction with Nokia MXIE, data from Nokia drones can be collected and processed in real time at the edge cloud. An open API framework allows agencies and enterprises to onboard pre-integrated Nokia and third-party applications and systems and take advantage of a growing number of compelling public safety and Industry 4.0 use cases for drone automation, including object identification, tracking and network measurements

Nokia and the New York Power Authority have already demonstrated the use of the Nokia Drone Networks solution, connected over private LTE, for transmission line inspection.

Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions at Nokia, said:

“Our mission is to reshape the industrial UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) market, providing enhanced situational awareness to aid search and rescue, surveillance, and other UAV operations in a wide variety of industries.”

“Nokia Drone Networks has been designed to comply with the remote operation requirements of aviation regulatory bodies such as EASA in Europe and FAA in the United States. This will help us address growing market demands as a turnkey provider with a solution designed and produced in Europe. The unique feature set enabling the integration of Nokia drones with third-party applications will aid the transformation of the drones, allowing them to be used as a flying data collection platform leveraging reliable 4G and 5G edge cloud connectivity.”

Depending on the deployed configuration, Nokia drones offer more than 50 minutes of flight time and cover distances of more than 30 km due to the unique hardware architecture, integrated software innovations and the 4G/5G connectivity.

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Nokia SaaS services strengthened with key GSMA security accreditation

• GSMA Security Accreditation Scheme covers Nokia’s iSIM Secure Connect in a SaaS delivery model, which provides secure machine-to-machine and consumer device subscriptions for eSIM- and iSIM-enabled devices
• The accreditation, a key industry standard, gives communication service providers (CSPs) and enterprises the required level of confidence of using Nokia iSIM Secure Connect in a SaaS delivery model
• The accreditation paves way for other industry certification of other Nokia Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) services

Nokia today announced that its iSIM Secure Connect solution has been accredited by the GSMA, the telecom industry group and leading wireless industry representative body, after a rigorous process of demonstrating an ongoing and systematic approach to managing information security risks and protecting data.

GSMA’s Security Accreditation Scheme (SAS) confirms the quality and capabilities of security and privacy policies, procedures, and controls that play an important role in supporting additional certifications in compliance with other external standards, like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001, System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2, and Cloud Security Alliance. With the GSMA accreditation in hand, Nokia will now pursue those additional certifications for its other SaaS services later this year and into 2023.

GSMA’s SAS is typically required as the necessary security grade by CSPs globally, so reaching this significant milestone gives operators and enterprises a high degree of confidence of using Nokia iSIM Secure Connect in a SaaS delivery model.

iSIM, or integrated SIM, Secure Connect, through a SaaS delivery model, manages machine-to-machine and consumer device subscriptions for embedded SIM, or, eSIM- and iSIM-enabled devices. iSIM Secure Connect gives control to automate the entire eSIM/iSIM profile lifecycle management process; enables CSPs and enterprises to quickly onboard and manage connected devices at massive scale; and opens opportunities to monetize services linked to trusted digital identities.

Since November 2021, Nokia has introduced seven SaaS services, including iSIM Secure Connect, NetGuard Cybersecurity Dome, Nokia Home Device Management, and Nokia AVA NWDAF, which enhances network operations with AI/ML driven closed-loop automation.

Mark Bunn, Senior Vice President, Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said: “Achieving the GSMA certification validates the strength and effectiveness of Nokia’s SaaS information security management system (ISMS) and how we are providing the highest security standards and flexibility that meet or exceed the needs and expectations of our customers in all of our SaaS services.”

“Hitting this milestone underscores the progress we are making to greatly improve the time-to-value that CSPs and enterprises can realize by having on-demand access to our SaaS services.”

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• iSIM Secure Connect is vendor-agnostic, remote eSIM and iSIM management software
• iSIM Secure Connect simplifies cellular subscription lifecycle operations through automation

Nokia today introduced iSIM Secure Connect to help communication service providers (CSPs) and enterprises deliver new 5G mobile and IoT services, and more efficiently and securely manage machine-to-machine (M2M) and consumer device subscriptions for eSIM- and iSIM-enabled devices.

Embedded SIM (eSIM) and integrated SIM (iSIM) are technologies used for authenticating users and devices on mobile networks. As opposed to physical SIM cards, eSIM and iSIM can store and manage multiple subscription profiles remotely.

iSIM Secure Connect, commercially available this quarter, builds on that technology by flexibly managing device subscriptions linked to trusted digital ID for public and private e-services.

Further, with automated management of the eSIM and iSIM lifecycle, iSIM Secure Connect enables CSPs and enterprises to launch new services more quickly, improve customer satisfaction, and increase operational efficiencies.

By being vendor-agnostic and working in various network and cloud environments, iSIM Secure Connect supports current and future IoT business and operating models, use cases, and monetization strategies.

The market for eSIM and iSIM capable device shipments, including smartphones, smartwatches and cellular IoT devices, is expected to top EUR 6 billion by 2025, fueled by growing demand for IoT services and the convenience and cost reductions that iSIM technology brings to CSPs, enterprises, and end-users.

Michele Mackenzie, Principal Analyst at Analysys Mason, said:
“Service providers are already set to capitalize on eSIM for new revenue streams, and iSIM will accelerate this even further. Underpinned by its extensive network know-how, Nokia can help operators take advantage of growth opportunities with iSIM Secure Connect.”

Hamdy Farid, Head of Business Applications, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia, said:
“iSIM unleashes a wide range of growth opportunities for CSPs and enterprises and enables new innovations that build proven value on top of this new technology.”

“As part of Nokia’s Cloud and Network Services product portfolio, iSIM Secure Connect will help our customers both streamline the process of managing millions more device subscriptions and deliver more innovative services quickly and securely.”

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• Agreement accelerates Mobily’s digitalization by launching a new, low power, wide area, NB-IoT service for its enterprise customers
• To date, Nokia has connected more than 4,000 sites and provided NB-IoT cell coverage of an average 20 km radius per cell
• This expansion strengthens Nokia’s successful strategic partnership with Mobily

Nokia today announced the completion of a narrowband ‘Internet of Things’ (NB-IoT) network deployment in L 800 band as part of its strategic partnership with Mobily.

As a result of this deployment, Mobily and Nokia have connected more than 4,000 sites and facilitated NB-IoT cell radius coverage averaging 20 km per cell, which is much wider than normal LTE cells. The completion of the project increases Mobily’s digitalization by offering new NB-IoT services to better serve its enterprise customers.

As part of the project, Mobily’s existing LTE base stations have been upgraded to enable NB-IoT in all Nokia footprints – Central, North and East of Saudi Arabia without additional hardware but with a simple software update. Nokia’s LTE solution will help Mobily enterprise customers to enhance their operational efficiency and deliver improved customer experience through IoT connectivity for enterprises in verticals such as energy, transport and health.

Nokia’s NB-IoT technology solution meets the dynamic demands of connected devices. By utilizing Nokia’s cutting-edge NB-IoT business platform, Mobily’s enterprise customers can deploy IoT devices on Nokia’s network without the need to manually configure the devices or switch networks. The platform also enables wider coverage indoors and outdoors, ideal for rural and deep indoor locations because it allows the signal to reach further inside buildings to connect sensors and devices and transmit information. It also provides enhanced machine-to-machine communication as it supports more connections and lowers power consumption.

Alaa Malki, CTO at Mobily, said:

“The partnership reinforces a robust IoT infrastructure and network, allowing enterprises to accelerate the expansion of their IoT footprint. As our long-standing partner, we are excited to strengthen the cooperation with Nokia and empower enterprises to harness the power of IoT through excellent connectivity.”

Tareq Khalaf, customer Team Head of Mobily, at Nokia, said: “We are proud to be working with Mobily to meet the needs of modern enterprises by enabling a wide range of commercial uses such as smart metering for utilities, powering connected health and industrial appliances, and smart city infrastructure. Our latest NB-IoT technology will allow Mobily’s customers to utilize IoT services regardless of their location, area, or region.”

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• Vi CSR has deployed Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) solution to equip 50,000 farmers in India with precise and practical data to help them achieve better yields

• Deployment of the smart agriculture-as-a-service solution will include soil probes, weather stations, insect traps and crop cameras to help drive productivity of soy and cotton crops

Nokia and Vodafone India Foundation, the CSR arm of Vi, have today announced that they have deployed a Smart Agriculture solution that aims to improve the productivity of farmers in India.

The pilot project is being implemented in 100 locations in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and will benefit over 50,000 farmers in the region by enhancing their productivity and income. The smart agriculture-as-a-service solution, which utilizes Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) solution, will ensure that precise and practical data is sent to farmers enabling them to enhance productivity. The unique CSR initiative will be showcased at Vi booth (Hall #3) at India Mobile Congress 2020 from 8-10 December.

Over 400 sensors have been deployed over 100,000 hectares of farmland to collect various data points which are then analysed by a cloud-based and localized Smart Agriculture app. The app provides local language support as well as weather forecast and irrigation management information. The sensors generate insights that helps to improve soy and cotton crop yields. Crop management through WING can include smart irrigation, smart pesticide control, proactive information sharing frameworks on crops and weather, as well as a platform for commodity exchange. The use case can also employ Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) technology or drones instead of traditional sensors for crop management.

Smart Agriculture is a leading use case that India is exploring in the 5G era. The complete end-to-end solution from Nokia WING is supported by deep domain expertise and an agriculture partner eco-system. Combined, it will help Vi CSR improve agricultural practices by introducing IoT-based solutions.

P. Balaji, Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited said:

“Vi CSR is committed to leveraging technology strengths to create social impact through sustainable solutions. Smart crop management using Smart IoT and AI based solutions is transforming the prevalent agricultural practices into more ‘intelligent’ ones enabling farmers with smart decision making and helping them improve production and crop quality through better utilization of resources.”

“Our SmartAgri project is unique as it brings an entire ecosystem of stakeholders such as Nokia for its innovative technology, Solidaridad for project management, and also green experts and researchers from University – all under one roof, to positively impact the lives of farmers in India.”

Ankur Bhan, Head of Nokia WING Business at Nokia, said :
“Our mission for WING is to shape the future of agriculture and other industries, to create a smarter and more connected world. Together with the Vodafone Foundation, our managed service offering will help an initial 50,000 farmers and their families, with the aim of rolling out the solution across India.”

Michele Mackenzie, Principal Analyst, IoT and M2M Services at Analysys Mason, said:
“We see a growing demand for new technologies that increase productivity and yields in the agricultural sector, while mitigating the impacts of climate change. Farmers and producers require end to end solutions and seek flexible business models so that they can focus on their core business. The cooperation between Nokia WING and Vodafone Idea is an innovative example for rebalancing the needs of the society and the environment by introducing sustainable farming practices in India.”

Nokia is committed to driving technology innovations that play a key role in achieving a more sustainable planet. Last year, they delivered zero-emission products to over 150 customers worldwide and committed to decreasing emissions from its operations by 41 percent by 2030. Nokia is also helping to Connect the Unconnected*. For example, in Brazil, Nokia is helping to bring connectivity to some of the 93 percent of Brazilian farmers who currently have no access to broadband services on their farms, while in Kenya, Nokia will upgrade the fiber network to provide higher capacity for expanded broadband services in East Africa.

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• Nokia is the project leader for Hexa-X, the European Commission’s 6G flagship initiative for research into the next generation of wireless networks
• The Hexa-X vision is to connect human, physical and digital worlds with a fabric of 6G technology enablers
• Hexa-X is the first official research initiative across the industry ecosystem to accelerate and foster 6G research and drive European leadership in the 6G era

Nokia leads the way in the next generation of wireless networks as the overall project leader for Hexa-X, the European Commission’s 6G flagship initiative for research that will drive the overall 6G vision.

The project goals include creating unique 6G use cases and scenarios, developing fundamental 6G technologies and defining a new architecture for an intelligent fabric that integrates key 6G technology enablers.

The Hexa-X project has been awarded funding from the European Commission under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, a significant step toward bringing together key industry stakeholders in Europe to take the lead in advancing 6G. The stakeholders represent the full value-chain of future connectivity solutions ranging from network vendors, communication service providers, verticals, and technology providers, as well as the most prominent European communications research institutes.

With Nokia taking the lead, the Hexa-X project aims to connect the physical, digital and human worlds, firmly anchored in future wireless technology and architectural research. Wireless technologies are critical for society and the economy today and their importance will continue to steadily increase with 5G and its evolution, enabling new ecosystems and services.

Nokia has been at the forefront in commercializing every generation of wireless technology, from the first GSM call to the best performing 4G networks and the world’s fastest 5G speeds. Nokia Bell Labs, the world-renowned industrial research arm of Nokia, pioneered many of the fundamental technology innovations that are being used to develop 5G standards. These include Massive MIMO, mmWave access, coding, and 5G radio stack design, which enabled 3GPP Release 15 initial deployments. Nokia Bell Labs is also developing enablers for the upcoming 3GPP Release 16 and 17 that are key for the digital transformation of industrial verticals, such as 5G New Radio (NR) in unlicensed spectrum bands, NR-Light to support massive IoT with medium-rate sensors and localization.

Building on this strong heritage, Nokia is leading the 6G joint research and pre-standardization process and Nokia Bell Labs is already researching the fundamental technologies that will comprise 6G. Nokia expects 6G systems to launch commercially by 2030, following the typical 10-year cycle between generations.

Peter Vetter, Head of Access and Devices Research, Nokia Bell Labs, said:

“Even though there is still a lot of innovation in 5G with the release of new standards, we are already exploring 6G in our research lab. In the 6G era we will see applications that will not only connect humans with machines but also connect humans with the digital world. Such a secure and private connection can be used for preventive healthcare or even to create a 6G network with a sixth sense that intuitively understands our intentions, making our interactions with the physical world more effective and anticipating our needs, thereby improving our productivity.”

Nokia Bell Labs, together with the Hexa-X consortium, has identified six research challenges that need to be addressed to lay the technical foundation for 6G wireless systems:

• Connecting intelligence: AI/Machine Learning (ML) technologies need to be a vital and trusted tool for significantly improved efficiency and service experience, serving humans
• Network of networks: multiple types of resources need to be aggregated to create a digital ecosystem that grows more and more capable, intelligent, and heterogeneous, eventually creating a single network of networks
• Sustainability: energy-optimized digital infrastructure for a reduced global ICT environmental footprint, as well as delivering effective and sustainable digitization tools for global industry, society and policymakers
• Global service coverage: efficient and affordable solutions for global service coverage, connecting remote places
• Extreme experience: extreme bitrates, extremely low (imperceptible) latencies, seemingly infinite capacity, and precision localization and sensing
• Trustworthiness: ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of communications and delivering data privacy, operational resilience and security

In addition to Hexa-X, Nokia is actively involved in other European 6G research initiatives such as 6Genesis, a national 6G program funded by the Academy of Finland and led by the University of Oulu, and Horizon Europe Smart Networks and Services, which aims to secure European leadership for the development and deployment of next generation network technologies and services, while accelerating European industry digitization.

The Hexa-X project starts on 1 January 2021, with a planned duration of 2.5 years. Nokia is the project lead for Hexa-X, working closely with a strong consortium of European partners.

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• Nokia and China Mobile reached a strategic agreement to provide seamless IoT global connectivity services for both China and international customers based on Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) managed service, expanding the capability of OneLink

• WING’s connectivity management platform delivers real-time visibility for IoT devices and services unfettered by traditional boundaries and limitations

Nokia today announced that it has been selected by China Mobile IoT (CMIoT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the China Mobile Communications Corporation, to ensure delivery of IoT connectivity and services to CMIoT’s customers across China and globally.

The partnership will enable CMIoT to expand its international OneLink IoT capabilities, which will be underpinned by Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) managed service. Nokia WING’s network nodes, deployed around the world, will be integrated with the OneLink IoT SIM Card Connection and Management Platform to provide robust, unified connectivity management for CMIoT’s international business customers, breaking through traditional boundaries and geographical limitations.

Nokia WING will enable CMIoT to provide its customers with global IoT connectivity services quickly and cost-effectively leveraging the global scale of Nokia WING’s IoT infrastructure, therefore capturing greater IoT market share. Based on this agreement, Nokia and China Mobile will cooperate on IoT connectivity services and jointly build a Chinese node of Nokia WING for CMIoT in Chongqing. Nokia and CMIoT are committed to developing international IoT business applications, products and services by combining their respective advantages and to meet the needs of the growing international IoT market.

Yaqiong Tang，Deputy General Manager, CMIoT, said:
“The Nokia WING IoT Platform solution will give us a competitive edge with new enterprise customers and enable us to provide the level of IoT connectivity and management that all our customers expect both in China and across the globe.”

Ankur Bhan, Head of WING Business, Nokia, said:

“We’re very proud to be working with CMIoT to meet the needs of modern enterprises around the world. Our WING solution will allow CMIoT to offer a superior IoT services experience to its customers at home and abroad. Its flexible, invest-as-you-grow business model will also enable CMIoT to go-to-market with this offering rapidly and be able to scale IoT services cost-effectively.”

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UScellular has enhanced its enterprise IoT self-management portal, allowing its customers and authorized resellers to successfully manage large-scale IoT (Internet of Things) deployments and optimize their investments.

The new ConnectHQ is powered by Nokia WING, and is a world-class platform that combines UScellular’s innovative IoT solutions and fast, high-quality network with Nokia’s global IoT ecosystem to bring new device management capabilities to customers.

“At UScellular, we strive to enhance the operations of our business and government customers and simplify the deployment and ongoing management of their IoT technology,” said Kimberly Green-Kerr, senior vice president of enterprise sales and operations at UScellular.

“The Nokia WING solution gives businesses the power and control to manage their wireless devices to best meet their needs, and we look forward to implementing additional capabilities in the future to further streamline vast IoT deployments for our customers.”

ConnectHQ enables business and government customers to regulate connectivity for their devices in a centralized, easy-to-use dashboard, providing them the ability to:

• Easily manage day-to-day IoT activations & suspensions
• Monitor data usage on every device in real-time
• Set-up usage alerts and create customized reports that can be easily shared
• Track usage trends over time and adjust as needed to control costs
• Increase operational efficiency by creating automated triggers when certain conditions are met
• Secure remote devices against fraudulent misuse

“Nokia is delivering the key technologies that our customers require, including our 4G and 5G solutions and Nokia WING – our industry-leading IoT platform,” said John Harrington, SVP, U.S. Major Accounts, Nokia.

“For UScellular, Nokia WING provides the performance and flexibility that will allow its customers to better manage their IoT devices.”

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• Nokia Threat Intelligence Report warns of rising cyberattacks on internet-connected devices

• Report also highlights role of numerous COVID-19-themed cybercriminal campaigns aimed at exploiting user data

Cyberattacks on internet-connected devices continue to rise at an alarming rate due to poor security protections and cybercriminals use of automated tools to exploit these vulnerabilities, according to the latest Nokia Threat Intelligence Report.

The report found that Internet-connected, or IoT, devices now make up roughly 33% of infected devices, up from about 16% in 2019. The report’s findings are based on data aggregated from monitoring network traffic on more than 150 million devices globally where Nokia’s NetGuard Endpoint Security product is deployed.

Adoption of IoT devices, from smart home security monitoring systems to drones and medical devices, is expected to continue growing as consumers and enterprises move to take advantage of the high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and fundamentally new networking capabilities that 5G mobile networks enable, according to the report.

The rate of success in infecting IoT devices depends on the visibility of the devices to the internet, according to the report. In networks where devices are routinely assigned public facing internet IP addresses, a high infection rate is seen. In networks where carrier-grade Network Address Translation is used, the infection rate is considerably reduced because the vulnerable devices are not visible to network scanning.

The Threat Intelligence Report also reveals there is no let up in cybercriminals using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal personal data through a variety of types of malware. One in particular is disguised as a “Coronavirus Map” application – mimicking the legitimate and authoritative Coronavirus Map issued by Johns Hopkins University – to take advantage of the public’s demand for accurate information about COVID-19 infections, deaths and transmissions.

But the bogus application is used to plant malware on victims’ computers to exploit personal data. “Cybercriminals are playing on people’s fears and are seeing this situation as an opportunity to promote their agendas,” the report says. The report urges the public to install applications only from trusted app stores, like Google and Apple.

Bhaskar Gorti, Nokia Software President and Chief Digital Officer, said:

“The sweeping changes that are taking place in the 5G ecosystem, with even more 5G networks being deployed around the world as we move to 2021, open ample opportunities for malicious actors to take advantage of vulnerabilities in IoT devices. This report reinforces not only the critical need for consumers and enterprises to step up their own cyber protection practices, but for IoT device producers to do the same.”

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• Deal will see nationwide deployment of IoT coverage for enterprises enabled by Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING)

• WING’s connectivity management platform delivers real-time visibility for IoT devices and services

Nokia today announced that it has been selected by Philippines-based telecommunications and digital services company, Smart, a subsidiary of PLDT, to launch IoT services nationwide.

The partnership will utilize Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) managed service and deliver a fully virtualized and future-proofed end-to-end solution to meet the critical requirements of Smart’s enterprise customers.

Nokia’s WING managed service helps operators to capture IoT market share without having to make investments in infrastructure. Thanks to the flexible, invest-as-you-grow business model, operators can go-to-market quickly and scale IoT services cost-effectively.

The partnership sees WING provide Smart with its software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, offering the necessary tools to eliminate the complexity associated with profitably connecting and managing new devices. Collaborating with Nokia WING enables Smart to offer advanced automation, real-time control features across IoT. This will enable enterprises running more automated, productive, sustainable and safer businesses with harmonized service level agreements, whilst providing real-time insights. Beyond connectivity, WING Vertical-as-a-Service opens up opportunities for Smart to address their enterprise customers with end-to-end IoT solutions.

Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups, said:

“The Nokia WING IoT Platform solution bolsters our capability in solving our customers IoT-related requirements quickly and helping them get to market faster and with greater scale. Nokia’s technology helps us to maintain PLDT’s leadership position and assist our customers in maximizing the potential of IoT services.”

Ankur Bhan, Head of WING Business at Nokia, said:
“We are excited to work with Smart on this deal that will deliver superior experiences to their customers. IoT services are increasingly becoming a necessity as part of any operators’ digital transformation strategy. Nokia’s WING solution is at the forefront of enabling new IoT use cases through a range of connectivity options, including 5G.”

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• LTE/4G technology promises to revolutionize lunar surface communications by delivering reliable, high data rates while containing power, size and cost.

• Communications will be a crucial component for NASA’s Artemis program, which will establish a sustainable presence on the Moon by the end of the decade.

Nokia has announced further details after being named by NASA as a partner to advance “Tipping Point” technologies for the Moon, deploying the first LTE/4G communications system in space and helping pave the way towards sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

Nokia Bell Labs’ pioneering innovations will be used to build and deploy the first ultra-compact, low-power, space-hardened, end-to-end LTE solution on the lunar surface in late 2022. Nokia is partnering with Intuitive Machines for this mission to integrate this groundbreaking network into their lunar lander and deliver it to the lunar surface. The network will self-configure upon deployment and establish the first LTE communications system on the Moon.

The network will provide critical communication capabilities for many different data transmission applications, including vital command and control functions, remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high definition video. These communication applications are all vital to long-term human presence on the lunar surface.

Nokia’s LTE network – the precursor to 5G – is ideally suited for providing wireless connectivity for any activity that astronauts need to carry out, enabling voice and video communications capabilities, telemetry and biometric data exchange, and deployment and control of robotic and sensor payloads.

Marcus Weldon, Chief Technology Officer at Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs President, said:
“Leveraging our rich and successful history in space technologies, from pioneering satellite communication to discovering the cosmic microwave background radiation produced by the Big Bang, we are now building the first ever cellular communications network on the Moon.”

“Reliable, resilient and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. By building the first high performance wireless network solution on the Moon, Nokia Bell Labs is once again planting the flag for pioneering innovation beyond the conventional limits.”

Nokia’s lunar network consists of an LTE Base Station with integrated Evolved Packet Core (EPC) functionalities, LTE User Equipment, RF antennas and high-reliability operations and maintenance (O&M) control software. The solution has been specially designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the launch and lunar landing, and to operate in the extreme conditions of space. The fully integrated cellular network meets very stringent size, weight and power constraints of space payloads in an extremely compact form factor.

The same LTE technologies that have met the world’s mobile data and voice needs for the last decade are well suited to provide mission critical and state-of-the-art connectivity and communications capabilities for any future space expedition. LTE is a proven commercial technology, has a large ecosystem of technology and component suppliers, and is deployed worldwide. Commercial off-the-shelf communications technologies, particularly the standards-based fourth generation cellular technology (4G Long Term Evolution (LTE)) are mature, proven reliable and robust, easily deployable, and scalable. Nokia plans to supply commercial LTE products and provide technology to expand the commercialization of LTE, and to pursue space applications of LTE’s successor technology, 5G.

Through the Tipping Point solicitation, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate seeks industry-developed space technologies that can foster the development of commercial space capabilities and benefit future NASA missions. The public-private partnerships established through Tipping Point selections combine NASA resources with industry contributions, shepherding the development of critical space technologies. NASA plans to leverage these innovations for its Artemis program, which will establish sustainable operations on the Moon by the end of the decade in preparation for an expedition to Mars.

As a market leader in end-to-end communication technologies for service provider and enterprise customers globally, Nokia develops and provides mission-critical networks adopted by airports, factories, industrial, first-responders, and the harshest mining operations on Earth, for automation, data collection and reliable communications. By deploying its technologies in the most extreme environments, Nokia Bell Labs will validate the solution’s performance and technology readiness level, and further optimize it for future terrestrial and space applications.

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• 74% of manufacturing decision-makers surveyed plan to upgrade comms and control networks in next two years to advance digital transformation and Industry 4.0
• More than 90% are investigating use of 4G/5G for their operations
• 84% that are considering 4G/5G will deploy their own local private wireless network in their manufacturing operations

Nokia has partnered with ABI Research, an independent research firm, to survey more than 600 manufacturing decision-makers to assess investment strategies related to 4G/LTE, 5G and Industry 4.0.¹

The survey found that 74% of respondents are looking to upgrade their communications and control networks by the end of 2022 with more than 90% investigating the use of either 4G and/or 5G in their operations. Just over half of respondents (52%) believe that the latest generation of 4G/LTE and 5G will be necessary to meet their transformational goals.

The research also identified key business use cases that would drive investment in 4G or 5G. Respondents reflected the need to digitalize and improve existing infrastructure (63%), automation with robotics (51%) and achieve new levels of employee productivity (42%).

Manish Gulyani, Vice President Marketing, Nokia Enterprise said:

“We have reached an inflection point in Industry 4.0 transformation as the fast, secure, low latency connectivity underpinning its implementation now becomes available. This research indicates the strong marketplace appetite for industrial-grade wireless networking to capture the transformational benefits of digitalization and automation. We believe that demand, combined with easy-to-deploy private wireless solutions, will drive adoption.”

The research examined near-term drivers influencing buying decisions for new industrial systems across IT (information technology) and OT (operations technology). IT drivers primarily focus on reducing downtime (53%), improving operations efficiency (42%), and enhancing security (36%). In comparison, OT drivers reflect a desire to replace aging infrastructure (43%), improve efficiency (40%) and increase capacity (38%).

Further highlights indicate:

• 88% of respondents stated that they were familiar with private wireless (4G/5G) networking
• 84% that are considering 4G/5G will deploy their own local private wireless network in their manufacturing operations
• leading priority buying areas are automation and machine upgrades (47%), IIoT initiatives (41%), with cloud infrastructure following at (37%).

Ryan Martin, Principal Analyst, ABI Research said:
“Importantly, research findings indicate a preference for deploying private fully-owned and operated wireless networks, with manufacturers favoring in-house management to allay security concerns. It’s evident that respondents are not entirely committed to Wi-Fi/WLAN and will consider latest generations of wireless technologies. As a result, 2020 is a critical year for networking suppliers to educate the market regarding the merits of 4G/LTE and 5G.”

“Based on this research we also observe a pan-industry need to quantify not only the potential ROI of investing in private wireless, but also to clearly indicate the cost of inaction – vendors need to make the case for investing in Industry 4.0 today to gain a clear competitive advantage over those who choose to wait.”

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• Nokia AVA 5G Cognitive Operations to help communication service providers (CSPs) transform their network, service and business operations through extreme automation enabled by AI and machine learning

• AI insights utilized to inform network slice creation and help CSPs comply with committed service level agreements (SLAs) for massively scaled 5G networks and enterprise services

• Service degradations can be predicted and prevented up to seven days in advance and solved up to 50 percent faster through AI

Nokia has today announced the launch of a complete AI as a service offering: Nokia AVA 5G Cognitive Operations.

The framework and its underlying AI-based solutions enable CSPs to transform their network, service and business operations through the application of AI, automation and cloud scalability. The solution will provide CSPs with insights to assist with slice creation and assurance to meet committed SLAs.

With 5G and the explosion of IoT devices unfolding, CSP operational teams are challenged with having to manage an ever-growing complexity through new use cases, service requirements, virtualization and network slicing. Traditional network and service management approaches are no longer sustainable, thus requiring AI and automation.

Nokia AVA 5G Cognitive Operations is a complete AI as a service offering, combining data science, machine learning as well as telco and cloud expertise to bring AI to life. It anticipates network and service failures with a high level of precision and accuracy up to seven days in advance. If failures arise, Nokia 5G Cognitive Operations can solve them up to 50 percent faster and accurately assess the impact on customers and services.

By taking pre-emptive, automated actions to resolve issues before they affect subscribers and enterprise applications, CSPs trialling the service have seen a 20 percent reduction in customer complaints and a 10 percent reduction in costly site visits.

The insights provided will help support CSPs with their slice creation, with an intelligent provisioning system identifying network resources, what SLAs can be committed and where new revenue opportunities can be found. Future capability will also enable CSPs to customize slice creation, providing different SLA levels based on unique user requirements.

Nokia AVA 5G Cognitive Operations is underpinned by Microsoft Azure cloud technology – with other public and private cloud options possible. In addition, Nokia’s Cognitive Collaboration Hubs will help CSPs to operationalize AI solutions through the work of cross-functional teams around the world, while the Digital Network Architecture provides common digital tools and proven landscape to ease data collection and enable digitized methods of procedures (DigiMoPs).

This framework provides an end-to-end service view with near real-time impact correlation for better visibility and control, supported by Nokia’s extensive library of AI use cases that have been proven to solve business challenges. The solution delivers intelligent fault diagnosis, failure localization and dynamic impact analysis. CSPs can leverage this functionality to shift away from incident-driven operations to a more proactive data-driven maintenance approach.

The “AI-as-a-service” commercial model means upfront costs are minimized, linking payments to usage and outcomes. A large part of this solution is already commercially available and expected to be completely available in the second quarter of 2020.

Don Alusha, Senior Analyst at ABI Research, said:
“AI and 5G network slicing will be fundamental for new value creation in the industry, particularly for enterprise verticals that need reliable, low-latency communication networks to support their business operations. Nokia AVA and Microsoft Azure capabilities present CSPs with an option to obtain the ‘intelligence’ they need to monitor and maintain their networks in a bid to ensure compliance with strict SLAs in an elegant and consistent fashion.”

Dennis Lorenzin, Head of Network Cognitive Service unit at Nokia, said:

“Operators face a perfect storm of rising traffic and consumer expectations, so it is crucial to be able to predict and prevent service degradations at an earlier stage, while solving issues that arise significantly faster. Nokia AVA 5G Cognitive Operations enables CSPs to operate and assure latency for 5G use cases through AI, ultimately delivering an enhanced customer experience for consumers and enterprises.”

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• Creates 5G-ready private wireless connectivity for partner ecosystem to accelerate IoT-based innovation
• Positions Port of Zeebrugge as leading innovator in logistics automation
• Port-based companies signed up to new network
• Successful collaboration with Citymesh

Nokia has announced that it has completed the first phase of Port of Zeebrugge’s 5G-ready, industrial-grade private wireless network deployment.

By deploying the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud platform, it will provide private wireless connectivity to more than 100 endpoints across the entire port operations. This will enable Zeebrugge to deliver a range of new and enhanced services that not only improve the port’s operational performance, but which also differentiate Zeebrugge as a leader in port transformation and digitalization.

Following successful deployment of the Nokia private wireless network, Zeebrugge will be able to track, analyze and manage connected devices across multiple port-based applications in real time. The end-to-end, high-performance 5G-ready network will accelerate port innovation and automation with deployment of IoT, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality and drones.

Rick Goetinck, CEO, Port of Zeebrugge said:
“Introduction of an advanced private wireless network will act as a beacon for our partners to develop and deliver new solutions right across the logistics value chain. Nokia, in close collaboration with local service provider Citymesh, has demonstrated outstanding 5G capabilities during platform deployment, making phase one a complete success.”

The network is now being used for connectivity with tugboats, air pollution detectors, security cameras and quay sensors. Its high-bandwidth and low-latency connectivity will also be leveraged during the upcoming construction of a new sea lock and during building and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Phase one has established increased automation in Zeebrugge’s outer port area. Phase two, due for completion in mid-2020 will focus on the inner port.

Stephan Litjens, General Manager, Nokia Digital Automation said:

“By deploying a Nokia 5G-ready digital automation platform with a private wireless network, the Port of Zeebrugge brings high-performance connectivity and digitalization to enhance safety, accelerate innovation, enable advanced applications and deliver new levels of logistics performance.”

Several external suppliers have also signed up to the network, which will be used by port-based companies for dispatching, connectivity with straddle carriers, track and trace systems and integrated communications.

Goetinck added:
“The introduction of a 5G-ready platform at the port of Zeebrugge brings benefits to a wide range of stakeholders across local enterprises, ancillary shipping businesses and government. The Port of Zeebrugge is an ultra-modern logistics center that serves European and intercontinental markets, and our investment in hyper fast connectivity can only improve the competitive position of our port.”

Nokia has partnered closely with Citymesh to deliver the private wireless network, and it will continue to assist with end-to-end support and network commercialization.

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• IoT-enabled insights deliver real-time alerts to highway operators
• Field-tested solution already proven successful at incident prevention

Nokia today announced, in partnership with China Mobile/CMCC Guangxi, that it is delivering a landslide monitoring and early warning system for highways operations management company, BGIGC Group (Guangxi Beibu Gulf Investment Group Co. Ltd).

Deployed on the G75 Lanzhou–Haikou Expressway, one of the main highways in Guangxi province, the system has already undergone extensive trials during which it successfully prevented adverse impact to road users following a landslip in March 2019.

Mr Yang Jirong, enterprise applications expert at CMCC Guangxi, said:
“Immediately upon deployment, the Nokia IoT solution demonstrated the value it can deliver. As a leading operator, we are highly committed to enhancing expressway safety for all road users with 5G technology and this project is a major step forward in that goal.”

Using the system, expressway management receives real-time reports on changes in ground conditions and incline stability across highway slopes. Upon indications of a potential landslide, the system immediately notifies highway management personnel by SMS or phone call, enabling appropriate action to be taken. A 4G eye-camera deployed on the highway slope simultaneously monitors landslide status for staff members.

Cheng Gang, Executive Vice President of Nokia Shanghai Bell said:

“This is an outstanding example of the benefits the Internet of Things can deliver to improve public safety. Nokia is working with the world’s leading manufacturers to develop high-precision sensors and algorithms for industrial applications that can deliver all the cost-competitive benefits of easily deployed, low-power, wide-area network technology.”

“We’re pleased that our system showed its worth during trials. At Nokia we believe that with the advent of 5G we can apply our IoT, analytics and wireless expertise to even more solutions that enhance levels of citizen care, well-being and security.”

The landslide monitoring and alarm system is based on the Nokia IMPACT IoT platform, comprising end-to-end Nokia hardware (Edge+ gateway and sensor nodes) and software.

Implementation of expressway slope safety evaluation, using monitoring and early warning systems, is one of the main objectives of the Ministry of Transport’s 13th Five Year Plan, and will make a major contribution to road safety.

It is of social and economic importance to establish an effective highway slope monitoring network, capable of assessing geological and environmental parameters in real time to accurately predict and prevent possible disasters.

The pilot project was listed among 30 excellent recommendation cases in 2019 by the Chinese Safety Committee of the Ministry of Transportation.

The Nokia IMPACT IoT platform is designed to offer a secure, standards-based, simplified platform on which to build and scale new IoT services. The main components of the deployed solution include device management, data collection and analysis, rule engine, alarm management and statistical report & analytics.

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• Nokia enhances its Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) managed service to support operators in offering 5G IoT services with minimal capex investment

• Enables operators to offer 5G IoT services faster and cost-effectively while addressing demanding latency, security and throughput requirements

• New 5G WING testbed in Dallas gives operators worldwide a platform to test the full range of 5G IoT services, even as standards are still evolving

Nokia has today announced that it is evolving its Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) managed service with 5G and edge capabilities.

The upgrade facilitates operators in offering 5G IoT services without having to invest in global infrastructure.

WING helps operators capture early IoT market share without having to make investments in infrastructure thanks to the pay-as-you-go business model that allows the scaling of 5G IoT services faster and cost-effectively. With Nokia WING innovations, operators can serve their enterprise customers providing 5G IoT services with ultra-low latency, high security and enhanced throughput.

With Nokia WING, operators will be able to leverage new business models and tap into industries such as connected cars, critical public services, and real-time industrial monitoring and control, as well as remote healthcare. Many of these use cases will place unprecedented demands on latency, the volume and velocity of data and security. WING is architected from the ground up to meet these stringent requirements, leveraging a distributed, flexible architecture that allows seamless upgrade to 5G.

To ease this complex transition, Nokia has invested in a 5G WING lab in Dallas, Texas, to which operators around the globe can connect and begin testing 5G IoT use cases.

As part of the 5G introduction, Nokia WING allows the user plane functions to be separated and extended to the far network edge or to enterprise premises, ensuring ultra-low latency. In parallel, this distributed WING infrastructure can be enhanced with Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) technology, improving the ability to support compute-intensive IoT services such as AR/VR maintenance, and cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) use cases. In order to realize the full potential of these diverse use cases, network slicing can be introduced via WING’s cloud native architecture.

Ankur Bhan, Head of Nokia WING Business at Nokia, said:

“The innovative Nokia WING infrastructure offers superior IoT service experience through global network presence, unified orchestration and consistent service level agreements to operators’ enterprise customers. We have now upgraded WING’s global architecture to 5G to further help operators to monetize IoT opportunities faster and cost-effectively in the 5G era.”

“We are actively working with operators, who have a global enterprise customer base and need to address their increasing needs for secure, low-latency IoT use cases across geographical borders.”

Brian Partridge, Vice President, Applied Infrastructure & DevOps Channel at 451 Research, said:
“5G holds great promise but the cost and complexity of building a dedicated, global 5G infrastructure to support IoT services is a major obstacle for CSPs. The features and performance of 5G can help digitally transform industries like transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing over the next several years and CSPs are eager to establish new value chain positions in these markets. We expect such managed services that demonstrate success in accelerating the ‘time-to-value’ or de-risking 5G investment for both enterprises and CSPs will generate strong demand.”

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• Nokia’s first Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) deal in Latin America, enabling TIM to expand IoT services in Brazil
• TIM’s enterprise customers will be able to offer IoT services across various industries faster by using the fully virtualized WING infrastructure, offered as a managed service
• Widespread adoption of IoT technologies estimated to add USD 200 billion to Brazilian economy by 2025

Nokia has signed a contract with telecommunications giant TIM to provide Internet of Things (IoT) services to its enterprise customers in Brazil.

Using the fully virtualized Nokia Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) managed service offer, TIM and its enterprise customers across industries,such as automotive and agriculture, will be able to capture IoT opportunities faster and more securely.

The Brazilian market is the largest IoT market in Latin America, with widespread adoption of IoT technologies estimated to add USD 200 billion to the country’s economy by 2025. Nokia’s first WING deal in Latin America enables TIM to leverage new business models to tap this opportunity and generate additional revenue streams. Additionally, incremental services, such as device management and analytics, will help TIM extend SIM management capabilities to create value added opportunities.

WING will enable local and multinational companies to benefit from global IoT services. It features a distributed architecture that maintains all user data in-country, such as in Brazil, to remain compliant with data sovereignty and privacy laws.

TIM’s enterprise customers will be able to monitor and manage in real-time their devices, ranging from asset tracking and status sensors for logistics industries to the fully connected car with on-board diagnostics and telematics. As part of the deployment, the Nokia IMPACT IoT platform, which simplifies the process of bringing and scaling multiple applications onto a single platform, will provide IoT device management and service capability exposure.

Alexandre Dal Forno, Head of Corporate Products and IoT Solutions, TIM Brazil, said:
“At TIM Brazil we are seeking to leapfrog the IoT market and see strong growth on our B2B business. We are looking forward to engaging with other global IoT players in order to bring the best possible IoT experience to our customers. Nokia WING will enable us to accelerate our capabilities to support our enterprise customers’ IoT needs and tap into the billion dollar IoT market opportunity.”

Sanjay Goel, President of Global Services, Nokia, said:

“This deal will empower TIM Brazil to provide its enterprise customers with IoT services to address their growing needs. Additionally, we will work on unlocking new IoT solutions that can be applied in various industries to help enterprises undergo digital transformation.”

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Companies announce their first joint solutions combining Microsoft cloud, AI and machine learning expertise with Nokia’s leadership across mission-critical networking and communications.

Microsoft and Nokia today announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate transformation and innovation across industries with cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).

By bringing together Microsoft cloud solutions and Nokia’s expertise in mission-critical networking, the companies are uniquely positioned to help enterprises and communications service providers (CSPs) transform their businesses. As Microsoft’s Azure, Azure IoT, Azure AI and Machine Learning solutions combine with Nokia’s LTE/5G-ready private wireless solutions, IP, SD-WAN, and IoT connectivity offerings, the companies will drive industrial digitalization and automation across enterprises, and enable CSPs to offer new services to enterprise customers.

BT is the first global communications service provider to offer its enterprise customers a managed service that integrates Microsoft Azure cloud and Nokia SD-WAN solutions. BT customers can access this through a customer automated delegated rights service, which enables BT to manage both the customer Azure vWAN and the unique Agile Connect SD-WAN, based on Nokia’s Nuage SD-WAN 2.0.

Jason Zander, executive vice president, Microsoft Azure, said:

“Bringing together Microsoft’s expertise in intelligent cloud solutions and Nokia’s strength in building business and mission-critical networks will unlock new connectivity and automation scenarios.”

“We’re excited about the opportunities this will create for our joint customers across industries.”

“We are thrilled to unite Nokia’s mission-critical networks with Microsoft’s cloud solutions,” said Kathrin Buvac, President of Nokia Enterprise and Chief Strategy Officer. “Together, we will accelerate the digital transformation journey towards Industry 4.0, driving economic growth and productivity for both enterprises and service providers.”

The cloud and IoT have ushered in the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, wherein enterprises are embracing data to automate and streamline processes across all aspects of their businesses. By joining forces, the two companies are bringing solutions to market that will simplify and accelerate this journey for enterprises, as well as enable CSPs to play a key role in helping their customers realize the potential of industrial digitalization and automation while also optimizing and better differentiating their own businesses.

Accelerating digital transformation for enterprises

Microsoft and Nokia are partnering to help accelerate digital transformation for enterprises by offering connectivity and Azure IoT solutions that unlock connected scenarios across multiple industries including digital factories, smart cities, warehouses, healthcare settings, and transportation hubs such as ports, airports and more.

The Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (Nokia DAC) 5G-ready industrial-grade private wireless broadband solution with on-premise Azure elements will enable a wide variety of secure industrial automation solutions that require more reliable connectivity, efficient coverage and better mobility than traditional Wi-Fi networks provide. For example, connected smart tools and machines on manufacturing floors that enable increased productivity, flexibility and safety for workers, or autonomous vehicles and robots in industrial environments that improve automation, efficiency and overall safety.

Enabling new enterprise services offered by service providers

Nokia’s Nuage SD-WAN 2.0 solution now enables service providers to offer integration with Microsoft Azure Virtual WAN for branch to cloud connectivity, with the companies planning to offer more options for branch internet connectivity in 2020. By automating branch and hybrid WAN connectivity, enterprises will have simplified, faster access to cloud applications such as Office 365, integrated security from branch-to-branch and branch-to-Azure and reduced risk of configuration errors causing security or connectivity issues.

Furthermore, the companies are integrating Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) with Azure IoT Central to make the onboarding, deployment, management and servicing of IoT solutions seamless. This integration provides CSPs with the opportunity to offer their enterprises a single platform including vertical solutions to enable secure connected IoT services, such as asset tracking and machine monitoring on a national or global scale. Enterprises will be able to use Azure IoT Central and partner solutions for faster and easier enablement and implementation of their IoT applications together with Nokia’s IoT connectivity solutions.

Driving digital transformation for CSPs

Microsoft and Nokia are collaborating to host Nokia’s Analytics, Virtualization and Automation (AVA) cognitive services solutions on Azure. These AI solutions will enable CSPs to move out of private data centers and into the Azure cloud to realize cost savings and transform operations for 5G. Predictive Video Analytics is an example of a joint solution that will ensure optimal video experiences for CSP subscribers, improving reliability by up to 60 percent.

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• IoT botnet activity represented 78% of malware detection events in communication service provider networks in 2018, more than double the rate seen in 2016, when IoT bot activity was first seen in meaningful numbers.

• IoT bots now make up 16% of infected devices in CSP networks, up significantly from 3.5% a year ago.

• Malware threats against IoT devices could get worse as consumer adoption of such devices accelerate in the years ahead as 5G capabilities – including extreme broadband, ultra-low latency connectivity, and massive networking – advance.

According to Nokia’s Threat Intelligence Report 2019, the use of malicious software to attack IoT devices like smart home security monitoring systems is rising substantially and growing more sophisticated as cyber criminals take advantage of lax security.

Driven by financial and other nefarious purposes, IoT botnet activity accounted for 78% of malware detection events in communication service provider (CSP) networks in 2018, according to the report, which is based on data aggregated from monitoring network traffic this year on more than 150 million devices globally where Nokia’s NetGuard Endpoint Security product is deployed.

That is up sharply from 33% in 2016, when IoT botnets were first seen in meaningful numbers. A botnet is a system of computers that can be infected with malicious software and controlled by a single computer for doing things like stealing bank account information and shuttering web sites.

Kevin McNamee, director of Nokia’s Threat Intelligence Lab and lead author of the report, said:

“Cyber criminals are switching gears from the traditional computer and smartphone ecosystems and now targeting the growing number of vulnerable IoT devices that are being deployed. You have thousands of IoT device manufacturers wanting to move product fast to market and, unfortunately, security is often an afterthought.”

In 2018, IoT bots made up 16% of infected devices in CSP networks, up significantly from the 3.5% observed in 2017.

As an indicator of the rising threat, the report found that malware-infected crypto-coin mining is expanding from high-end servers with specialized processors to IoT devices as well as smartphones and web browsers. Crypto-coin mining is generally the process by which crypto currency transactions are verified and added to blockchain technology systems.

Industry analysts widely expect IoT device adoption to accelerate with 5G. The high bandwidth, large-scale and ultra-low latency capabilities of 5G greatly facilitate connecting billions of things to the internet, including smart home security monitoring systems, vehicles, drones and medical devices.

But, as the Threat Intelligence report’s findings underscore, lagging security protection of many current IoT devices and increasing technical sophistication are giving cyber criminals broader scope for successfully launching IoT device attacks.

“Cyber criminals have increasingly smart tools to scan for and to quickly exploit vulnerable devices, and they have new tools for spreading their malware and bypassing firewalls. If a vulnerable device is deployed on the internet, it will be exploited in a matter of minutes,” McNamee said.

Also explaining some of the rise in IoT device malware infection rates is the fact that attacks on mobile and fixed networks in 2018 decreased from previous years. This is a result not only of cyber criminals looking further afield for softer targets, like IoT devices, but of better-protected networks, platforms and mobile devices that are designed and built with security in mind.

The Nokia NetGuard security suite provides protection against a wide variety of bots and malware. The suite aggregates, analyses and correlates security data from a variety of sources, including endpoint detection software, to help security teams control risks and costs and to improve decision making.

The NetGuard Endpoint Security software includes an IoT behavioral anomaly detection component that is capable of constantly tracking devices against security threats. The individual traffic profiles of any device, including an IoT device, are machine-learned automatically by the Endpoint system; any anomalies detected triggers immediate trouble-shooting against threats.

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• First private LTE deployment in Brazil for grid automation, allowing fast power restoration in the event of an outage and improving power delivery in Atibaia and parts of the state of Sao Paulo
• This ‘smart grid’ project will streamline operations and reduce costs by increasing grid reliability by up to 50 percent and reducing commercial losses by up to 80 percent
• The LTE network will link smart meters and other equipment to track power usage and enable more than 75,000 customers to shift consumption patterns to save money

Nokia has been selected by Brazilian power distributor Elektro, part of the Neoenergia/Iberdrola group, to deploy a private LTE network to increase the reliability and efficiency of the electrical grid in the City of Atibaia and surrounding areas in the state of Sao Paulo.

This highly reliable wireless 4G network, the first of its kind in Brazil, will serve more than 75,000 homes and businesses.

The LTE network will be deployed in 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, the first such installation in South America. The network will provide business-critical connectivity for grid equipment, smart meters, substations and distributed energy generation sources throughout the service area, enabling grid automation through real-time exchange of information between these devices and Elektro’s Operations Center in Campinas. This will enable the quick identification of events on the electrical grid for rapid restoration in case of failure, and even to avoid outages before they occur, helping ensure high-quality service for Elektro’s customers.

For the project, Nokia will supply Elektro with a solution composed of the Nokia AirScale Single Radio Network (SRAN) that includes base stations (eNodeBs), enhanced Packet Core and CPE (Customer Premises Equipment). Nokia Global services will deliver and manage the end-to-end Private LTE solution including network design, deployment, integration, assisted operation, maintenance, construction and training for Elektro.

This agreement builds on Nokia’s strong track-record providing mission-critical networks to power utilities, and highlights the company’s strong position in the emerging market for private LTE networks. It also highlights the progress of Nokia’s strategy of expanding its customer base outside of the traditional telecommunications sphere, a key focus of the company’s diversification efforts.

Mario Ruiz-Tagle, president of Neoenergia, said:
“Neoenergia is committed to sustainable development and the full digitalization of its networks. The project in Atibaia is a pioneering effort here in Brazil, and will deliver increased power efficiency to bring both increased quality and cost savings to our customers. As important, this deployment will enable the introduction of distributed power resources in the future, such as photovoltaic generation and electric vehicles, while providing the required communications for our transformation to new business models.”

Osvaldo Di Campli, head of Nokia Latin America, said:

“This private LTE deployment will provide the large-scale connectivity, extensive coverage and high-bandwidth service needed for Elektro to extend the reach of its network out into their distribution grid, making the grid much smarter. This future-proof solution will also provide an evolution path to 5G technology in the future, which will offer an array of additional capabilities to keep pace with the fast-evolving utility market.”

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• Solution couples Nokia’s strengths in Internet of Things (IoT), networking and analytics with Altran’s expertise in applications, analytics and integration for railway operations.

• Jointly developed predictive maintenance applications support rolling stock from all manufacturers, optimizing operations and reducing costs.

Nokia and Altran, a global leader in Engineering and R&D services (ER&D), are launching a jointly developed solution to optimize and streamline the maintenance of rolling stock for railway operators.

This solution combines Nokia’s strengths in Internet of Things (IoT), networking and analytics with Altran’s strength in application development, analytics and system integration for railway operations.

Maintenance represents the biggest single operational cost for railway operators, constituting roughly 50 percent of their total operational expense. The maintenance applications railway operators have historically relied on are designed to support rolling stock only from individual manufacturers, making maintenance of their assets cumbersome and costly. The joint solution from Altran and Nokia is designed to provide predictive maintenance support for rolling stock from all manufacturers, dramatically reducing maintenance overhead for railway operators.

The solution incorporates smart sensors to monitor and gather data on the condition and performance of rolling stock, the wireless network and IoT connections to aggregate and transmit data. It’s a scalable, adaptive IoT platform to manage the wide variety of sensors and other devices required, and an advanced analytics engine to interpret data and recommend preventative maintenance measures. Together, these capabilities can deliver up to a 30-percent improvement in train reliability, a 20-percent reduction in delays and cancellations and a 10-percent reduction in maintenance man-hours.

This agreement builds on Nokia’s strong track-record providing mission-critical networks to railway operators. It also highlights the progress of Nokia’s strategy of expanding its customer base outside of the traditional telecommunications sphere, a key focus of the company’s diversification efforts.

Jochen Apel, global transportation segment leader at Nokia, said:
“Unexpected failures in rolling stock have a huge impact on the operational performance of rail operators. The traditional way of overcoming this is to perform heavy preventative maintenance. The revolutionary approach the Nokia and Altran are taking can greatly reduce this effort and deliver significant cost savings to railway operators.”

Mike Greenan, Rail & Transport Global Industry Director at Altran, said:

“Predictive maintenance is an opportunity for new and for legacy trains. The combination of Nokia and Altran can help introduce and take advantage of modern technologies to increase the operational performance of the train.”

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Working Together to Help Businesses Spur IoT Innovation on a Global Scale.

AT&T and Nokia are teaming up to provide virtually seamless Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity around the world.

The companies are using Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) to offer AT&T’s enterprise customers the benefits of Nokia’s global IoT ecosystem. These include core network, dedicated IoT operations, billing, security, data analytics, and more.

AT&T and Nokia will develop, test and launch the next generation of IoT services. They’ll cover a wide range of industries including transportation, health, manufacturing, retail, agriculture, utilities, consumer electronics and smart cities.

Commercial deployment starts later this year. WING’s core network assets are expected to be available in more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and the Middle East by the first quarter of 2020. The collaboration will help set the stage for the evolution to global 5G.

Together the companies can help enterprise customers:

• Bring more capabilities to more places with increased performance and flexibility, lower latency, and enhanced platform capabilities.
• Address specific business requirements through capabilities like 5G network slicing that allows a single network to be partitioned into multiple networks.
• Meet local regulatory requirements for IoT devices.

“Our work with Nokia WING will help clear away the complexity of large-scale IoT adoption so that our customers can unlock the potential of IoT worldwide,” said Chris Penrose, President, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T.

“Boosted by Nokia’s globally deployed ‘one-stop shop’ network technology, we can be more nimble and responsive to our customers’ needs.”

“This collaboration proves our commitment to the global IoT market, providing seamless connectivity across geographical borders and technologies,” said Sanjay Goel, President of Global Services at Nokia. “With AT&T’s leading position in IoT and proven experience meeting real customer needs, we have a winning combination to bolster our global IoT capabilities.”

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• SpaceTime Insight’s advanced IoT and machine learning-powered analytics technologies to accelerate the development of Nokia’s IoT offerings

• Deal expands reach of Nokia’s high-value IoT applications into key vertical markets, including energy, logistics, transportation and utilities

Nokia has acquired SpaceTime Insight to expand its Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio and IoT analytics capabilities, and accelerate the development of new IoT applications for key vertical markets.

Based in San Mateo, California, with offices in the U.S., Canada, U.K., India and Japan, SpaceTime Insight provides machine learning-powered analytics and IoT applications for some of the world’s largest transportation, energy and utilities organizations, including Entergy, FedEx, NextEra Energy, Singapore Power and Union Pacific Railroad. Its machine learning models and other advanced analytics, designed specifically for asset-intensive industries, predict asset health with a high degree of accuracy and optimize related operations. As a result, SpaceTime Insight’s applications help customers reduce cost and risk, increase operational efficiencies, reduce service outages and more.

The acquisition supports Nokia’s software strategy by bringing SpaceTime Insight’s sales expertise and proven track record in IoT application development, machine learning and data science to the Nokia Software IoT product unit. It will strengthen Nokia’s IoT software portfolio and IoT analytics capabilities, and accelerate the development of Nokia’s IoT offerings to deliver high-value IoT applications and services to new and existing customers.

The addition of SpaceTime Insight will also broaden the company’s ability to deliver new, advanced applications for key vertical markets, including energy, logistics, transportation and utilities.

Paul Lau, Chief Grid Strategy and Operations Officer at Sacramento Municipal Utility District, said: “We’ve partnered with SpaceTime to help us be more responsive, more efficient and ultimately able to deliver more value to our customers. Combining their innovative solutions with Nokia’s world-class portfolio will provide customers with powerful new tools to better manage assets, maximize efficiencies and deliver new capabilities.”

Bhaskar Gorti, president of Nokia Software, said:

“Adding SpaceTime to Nokia Software is a strong step forward in our strategy, and will help us deliver a new class of intelligent solutions to meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected world.”

“Together, we can empower customers to realize the full value of their people, processes and assets, and enable them to deliver rich, world-class digital experiences.”

SpaceTime Insight and its CEO Rob Schilling will join the IoT product unit within the Nokia Software business group.

Rob Schilling, CEO of SpaceTime Insight, said: “Today marks a transformational moment for SpaceTime, and I’m delighted to join forces with one of the world’s top organizations-a global brand that is reshaping the future of networking and intelligent software. I am excited for this incredible opportunity to help accelerate and scale Nokia’s IoT business and provide a new class of next-generation IoT solutions customers cannot find anywhere else.”

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