450MHz network to be built out for critical infrastructure in Germany
German energy and water sector backed network provider 450connect has selected Nokia to build a new LTE450 radio network.
The 450MHz band, offering robust long range secure connectivity and widely used for example for military applications, is considered crucial for the digitisation of critical infrastructures and the basis for the energy transition.
450connect, backed by energy companies Alliander and E.ON and a consortium of German regional and municipal energy and water utilities, was awarded use of the 450MHz contract in March 2021 as sole operator until 2040.
Nokia will supply its LTE450 radio system technology, including the central technology, radio stations, microwave radio links for the backhaul network and power back-up systems.
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Nokia will also manage the supply and performance of all LTE components, including maintenance services, until 2040.
“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,” says Carsten Ullrich, CEO of 450connect.
450MHz technology utilises standardised 4G and 5G mobile radio technologies to ensure high performance and long-term technology availability.
In addition, the platform has the ability to prioritise applications according to their criticality in order to ensure that business-critical applications always have priority in data transmission.
According to a statement the Nokia LTE450 technology is ideally suited to achieve wide-area coverage and operate services such as voice and M2M communications or Internet of Things applications for critical infrastructure.
Due to the demand, 450connect and Nokia 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.
