Nokia Launches Mobile Core Early Access Program

Nokia has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at accelerating network innovation in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Dubbed Mobile Core Early Access, the program offers telecommunication providers and enterprises a practical, hands-on platform to explore and adopt cutting-edge technologies.

The initiative, available globally, provides participants with a live, hosted environment to evaluate and plan for the latest mobile core capabilities and use cases. This environment is designed to shorten the path from technology awareness to informed planning, validation, and adoption.

Kal De, Senior Vice President of Core Networks at Nokia, emphasized the need for operators to have more practical tools for assessing AI-driven technologies. "Mobile innovation cycles continue to accelerate, and operators need more than presentations and demonstrations to make confident technology choices," De stated. "Mobile Core Early Access provides a practical way to experience the latest mobile core innovations in a live environment."

The program is the first of its kind to offer a live, hosted, end-to-end environment for exploring the latest mobile core capabilities and use cases. It includes network functions, radios, and devices, allowing participants to see how new capabilities operate in practice.

Following a successful launch in June with a select group of 30 companies, registration is now open to the entire industry. Nokia's initiative addresses a longstanding challenge: gaining practical exposure to emerging core network capabilities before making deployment decisions. By providing access to a live, regularly updated environment that showcases real-world 5G Core, automation, analytics, and network exposure use cases, Nokia is helping operators reduce evaluation friction and shorten innovation cycles.

Roberto Kompany, a Principal Analyst at Omdia, highlighted the significance of Nokia's initiative. "Nokia's Mobile Core Early Access program is reducing evaluation friction and helping customers shorten innovation cycles," Kompany said. "As the industry moves toward AI-native core networks, initiatives such as Nokia's Mobile Core Early Access can play an important role in accelerating technology adoption and improving customer confidence in future network investments."

Through Mobile Core Early Access, participants can explore the latest mobile core capabilities and use cases as they become available. The initiative supports technology planning and readiness by enabling participants to understand deployment considerations earlier in the process. For those requiring extended access, broader flexibility, or deeper integration with their own environments, Nokia offers a paid option to support more advanced evaluation, experimentation, and validation activities.

Nokia's Mobile Core Early Access initiative reflects the company's commitment to driving innovation in the telecommunications industry. By providing a practical, hands-on platform, Nokia is empowering operators and enterprises to innovate more efficiently and effectively in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and 5G technologies.