T-Mobile, Nokia Sign $3.5B Deal In Giant Bet On 5G

T-Mobile said Monday that it signed a multiyear $3.5 billion deal with Nokia that would clear the way for the third-largest carrier in the U.S. to deploy 5G technology across the U.S.

As part of the agreement, Finland-based Nokia would help build T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network with 600MHz and 28GHz millimeter wave 5G capabilities. Reuters called it ’the world’s largest 5G deal so far.’

’We are all in on 5G,’ said Neville Ray, chief technology officer at T-Mobile, in a statement. ’Every dollar we spend is a 5G dollar, and our agreement with Nokia underscores the kind of investment we’re making to bring customers a mobile, nationwide 5G network. And together with Sprint, we’ll be able to do So. Much. More.’

In April, Bellevue, Wash.-based T-Mobile and Sprint announced they would combine forces in a deal worth $26 billion. That megamerger would represent a challenge to both AT&T and Verizon, the leaders in the wireless industry.

Fifth-generation wireless technology, or 5G, will allow more devices to connect to the Internet and, once connected, run at speeds of 1 Gbps. 5G also will use more diverse spectrum bands and more small cells and have deeper integration of virtualization technology. The technology is considered important as more Internet-enabled, or Internet of Things, devices bombard the network.

Using 5G, Nokia and T-Mobile said they will develop, test and launch the next generation of connectivity services that will cover a wide range of industries, including enterprise, smart cities, utilities, transportation, health, manufacturing, retail, agriculture and government agencies.

Gina Narcisi contributed to this article.