Nokia and NTT DOCOMO Launch Autonomous 5G Operations in Japan
Nokia has unveiled a groundbreaking collaborative effort with NTT DOCOMO to advance 5G operations in Japan using its MantaRay SON (Self-Organizing Network). This multi-vendor deployment positions MantaRay SON as a pivotal component in DOCOMO’s strategy to streamline network management, reduce operational costs, and enhance the customer experience across its 5G footprint. The initiative demonstrates Nokia’s commitment to autonomous networks by delivering adaptive orchestration, analytics, and automated fault management in a real-world carrier environment.
With the Japanese market continuing to scale its 5G services, operators face growing complexity from multi-vendor ecosystems, dynamic traffic patterns, and the need for rapid service assurance. MantaRay SON is designed to address these challenges by providing closed-loop automation that continually optimizes radio access network (RAN) performance, carrier aggregation, and core signaling paths. The result is a more efficient network that can respond to changing demand with minimal human intervention.
What MantaRay SON Brings to DOCOMO
The MantaRay SON platform introduces several capabilities that are particularly valuable for DOCOMO’s multi-vendor 5G environment:
- End-to-end automation: From radio to core, MantaRay SON orchestrates configuration, optimization, and healing tasks to sustain peak network performance.
- Adaptive quality of service: The system dynamically allocates resources based on user behavior, business priorities, and service-level agreements, enhancing user experience in crowded urban areas and event-driven surges.
- Multi-vendor interoperability: Designed to work across equipment from different vendors, reducing vendor lock-in and accelerating network modernization projects.
- Network intelligence: Advanced analytics and machine learning enable predictive maintenance, proactive fault detection, and faster mean time to repair (MTTR).
Operational and Customer Benefits for Japan
For DOCOMO, the alliance translates into tangible improvements in both operations and customer experience. Operators can expect lower OPEX through automated routine tasks and faster issue resolution, freeing bandwidth for innovation and new service models. Consumers stand to benefit from more consistent 5G performance, lower latency, and improved reliability during peak usage times in metropolitan centers and transit corridors.
The collaboration also supports Japan’s broader digital strategy, helping DOCOMO deliver ultrafast, reliable connectivity that underpins sectors like smart cities, IoT, and immersive mobile experiences. As 5G networks continue to evolve toward 5G-Advanced and beyond, autonomous network solutions like MantaRay SON become essential to maintain performance without a proportional rise in operational complexity.
Strategic Implications for the Global 5G Market
Beyond the immediate benefits for DOCOMO and its customers, this multi-vendor deployment signals a growing industry trend: operators increasingly seek autonomous, vendor-agnostic solutions to manage complex 5G ecosystems. Nokia’s approach with MantaRay SON aligns with operator demands for scalable orchestration, rapid service assurance, and flexible migration strategies as networks densify and new use cases proliferate.
As 5G networks expand to support enterprise 5G, private networks, and mixed-reality applications, autonomous optimization will be a critical capability. The Japan project serves as a compelling case study for operators worldwide considering similar strategies to improve efficiency while maintaining high service standards.
Future Outlook
Nokia and NTT DOCOMO plan to continue refining MantaRay SON through ongoing field trials, performance benchmarking, and integration with DOCOMO’s operational workflows. The partnership underscores the importance of collaboration between network equipment providers and operators to realize the full potential of next-generation networks in a multi-vendor world.
