TLDRS
- Nokia will upgrade Taiwan Mobile’s 5G network using AI-powered software and AirScale hardware.
- The expansion introduces advanced automation, network slicing, and energy-saving capabilities across the network.
- New infrastructure will boost capacity while supporting RedCap devices like wearables and IoT sensors.
- The agreement strengthens a long-term partnership that began with Taiwan Mobile’s 5G rollout in 2020.
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) is deepening its long-standing relationship with Taiwan Mobile through a new agreement aimed at expanding the carrier’s fifth-generation (5G) network infrastructure.
The latest contract builds on years of collaboration between the two companies and reflects growing demand for faster, more efficient mobile networks powered by artificial intelligence and advanced radio technologies.
The agreement will see Nokia deliver new AirScale hardware alongside AI-enabled software designed to improve network performance, automate operations, and reduce energy consumption. The upgrade is expected to strengthen Taiwan Mobile’s ability to handle rising data traffic while preparing its network for next-generation digital services.
AI Enhances Network Operations
A major component of the expansion centers on software-driven intelligence. Nokia plans to introduce predictive analytics that can identify potential hardware issues before they affect network performance, helping operators reduce downtime and improve service reliability.
The deployment also includes self-organizing network capabilities that automatically optimize network settings without requiring extensive manual intervention. Traffic steering software will dynamically direct users to the most efficient network resources, while energy management tools are designed to lower electricity usage during periods of reduced demand.
Together, these technologies are intended to improve operational efficiency while allowing Taiwan Mobile to maintain a consistent user experience as mobile data usage continues to grow.
Expanded Capacity And Features
Beyond software upgrades, Nokia will provide new baseband equipment and radio infrastructure that increase network capacity across Taiwan Mobile’s 5G footprint.
The expansion will also support advanced technologies such as network slicing, which allows operators to create multiple virtual networks on the same physical infrastructure. This capability enables customized services for different industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and enterprise customers that require dedicated network performance.
Another addition is support for Reduced Capability (RedCap), a feature introduced under 5G standards to serve lower-power connected devices. RedCap enables products such as smartwatches, industrial sensors, health monitoring equipment, and asset tracking devices to connect efficiently without requiring the full capabilities of traditional smartphones.
As the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem continues to expand, RedCap is expected to play an increasingly important role in connecting millions of low-power devices while reducing costs and improving battery life.
Longstanding Strategic Partnership
The latest agreement further strengthens a partnership that has spanned multiple generations of wireless technology.
Nokia previously supplied Taiwan Mobile’s 2G, 3G, and 4G infrastructure before becoming the operator’s exclusive supplier for its nationwide 5G network in 2020. That earlier agreement, valued at approximately €400 million (around US$457 million), covered radio access network equipment, core network infrastructure, and IP Multimedia Subsystem technology.
Since then, the companies have continued working together as Taiwan Mobile expanded its 5G services across the country.
The ongoing collaboration demonstrates Taiwan Mobile’s confidence in Nokia’s networking technology while providing Nokia with another significant reference customer in the competitive Asia-Pacific telecommunications market.
Supporting Taiwan’s Digital Growth
Taiwan remains one of Asia’s more advanced mobile markets, with strong consumer adoption of high-speed wireless services and growing demand from businesses deploying cloud applications, AI workloads, and connected devices.
Industry measurements have consistently ranked Taiwan Mobile among the country’s leading network providers. According to an Opensignal report published in late 2025, the operator placed second in nationwide 5G availability, highlighting the strength of its existing network.
The latest modernization effort is expected to further improve customer experience by increasing network efficiency, expanding available capacity, and enabling new services that depend on highly reliable low-latency connectivity.
For Nokia, the contract reinforces its strategy of combining advanced hardware with AI-powered software to help telecom operators modernize networks while controlling operating costs. As carriers worldwide seek to extract greater value from their 5G investments, intelligent automation and energy-efficient infrastructure have become increasingly important competitive differentiators.
The Taiwan Mobile agreement also underscores Nokia’s continued momentum in supplying large-scale telecommunications infrastructure, particularly as operators focus on expanding enterprise 5G applications, supporting connected devices, and preparing their networks for future innovations beyond traditional mobile broadband.


