Nokia has entered into a global licensing deal with HPE to strengthen its AI-powered Service Management & Orchestration (SMO) capabilities, integrating HPE’s RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) into its portfolio. The agreement enhances Nokia’s MantaRay SMO solution and underscores its commitment to autonomous networking.
As part of the deal, many of the HPE developers behind the licensed technology have joined Nokia’s Mobile Networks unit as of October 1, 2025.
Expanding RAN Automation & Orchestration
Nokia’s MantaRay SMO is already a robust platform for zero-touch network automation. It meets TM Forum Level 4 standards for autonomous operations, supports Open RAN compliance, and works with open interfaces like the R1 interface for rApps.
By incorporating HPE’s RIC into MantaRay SMO, Nokia enhances its ability to deliver real-time insights, tighter orchestration, and smarter decisioning across multi-vendor networks. This improves network efficiency, reduces human intervention, and accelerates readiness for the evolution from 5G to 6G.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, commented:
“This licensing deal enhances our proven MantaRay SMO portfolio with new assets and expertise. Customers worldwide will benefit from advanced AI-powered automation, orchestration, and open ecosystems. These capabilities help operators manage multi-vendor networks efficiently and prepare for the transition from 5G to 6G.”
Why This Partnership Matters
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Stronger AI Automation
The integration accelerates the use of AI in network orchestration enabling prediction, anomaly detection, and automated remediation across network tasks. -
Open & Multi-Vendor Support
The move reinforces Nokia’s commitment to open ecosystems, helping operators manage heterogeneous networks without vendor lock-in. -
Talent & Technology Transfer
Absorbing HPE’s development team helps Nokia fast-track implementation, know-how transfer, and long-term innovation. -
Future-Proofing Networks
As operators prepare for 6G and more complex network topologies (edge, private, 6G RAN), more advanced SMO will be instrumental.
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