Nokia is to build a nationwide LTE450 radio network for 450Connect, a joint venture telecoms service provider backed by German companies from the energy and water sectors.

The deal will cover the supply of radio system technology for the 450MHz network, including the central technology, radio stations, microwave radio links for the backhaul network, and power back-up systems. Nokia will manage the supply and performance of all LTE components, including maintenance services, until 2040.

In March 2021, 450Connect was awarded the 450MHz frequencies until 2040 by the Federal Network Agency. With its nationwide, highly-available and secure LTE450 radio network, operators of critical infrastructures should receive a platform to digitalise their infrastructure, implement the energy transition to decarbonisation, and secure the energy supply.

The Nokia LTE450 technology is suited to achieve wide-area coverage and operate services such as voice and M2M communications or IoT applications for critical infrastructure. This industrial-grade private LTE and LTE-M offering is optimised for M2M applications and critical voice communications.

“The task of digitalisation of Germany’s critical infrastructure is of enormous strategic importance,” said Dirk Lewandowski, vice president of Nokia. “Nokia can make an important contribution to securing this country’s energy supply with our industrial-grade 450MHz private LTE network, especially considering the challenges posed by the energy transition to decarbonisation and decentralisation. We look forward to a trusting and close cooperation with 450Connect on this long-term and important project for the Federal Republic of Germany.”

Carsten Ullrich, CEO of 450Connect, added: “In view of the major challenges involved in setting up the 450MHz platform, we are pleased to have Nokia as a strong and capable partner at our side for the long term, with whom we can meet the high technical requirements of our customers as operators of critical infrastructures.”

Due to the demand for highly available and resilient communications, both parties have agreed to a rapid implementation of the radio network. Initial end-to-end tests will take place in the field by mid-2022 to ensure performance for the upcoming rollout. Radio services will be offered in the first regions of Germany in 2023. The nationwide rollout will take place by 2025.

The Nokia technology includes geo-redundant LTE cores, RAN, Nokia Wavence microwave radio backhaul, management, and installation, commissioning, integration, training and support services. In addition, 20 years of lifecycle network management of this critical network will be provided by Nokia.

450Connect is building and will operate the fail-safe platform for the digitalisation of critical infrastructures in Germany. The Cologne-based company is thus creating a prerequisite for the decarbonisation and resilience of the national economy. For this, 450Connect recently received the exclusive assignment of the 450MHz spectrum until 2040. It is backed by more than 70 utilities, including Alliander, E.On, a consortium of regional energy companies and the Versorger-Allianz 450, which includes numerous public utilities, as well as energy and water suppliers, and the participation of the EnBW subsidiary Netze BW.