Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 25, Nokia and NTT DOCOMO have announced the deployment of Nokia's MantaRay SON (Self-Organizing Networks) solution across DOCOMO's multi-vendor LTE and 5G radio access network in Japan. This represents the first commercial implementation in the country of Nokia's 5G base stations integrated with DOCOMO's operational systems.

The rollout, now in progress, introduces advanced AI-driven automation that streamlines network planning, provisioning, verification, and closed-loop configuration management. These capabilities enable automatic detection and execution of optimisation tasks without manual intervention, significantly improving network quality and reducing operational costs while enhancing end-user experience.

MantaRay SON forms a core element of Nokia's Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework and supports DOCOMO's ambition to reach Level 4 autonomous network operations. Future phases will incorporate multi-vendor support, MantaRay AutoPilot functions, and Non-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC) capabilities for even greater intelligence and automation.

Mark Atkinson, Head of Radio Access Networks at Nokia, stated: "Nokia is proud to partner with NTT DOCOMO to bring cutting-edge AI-driven automation to Japan's telecom industry. MantaRay SON represents a significant leap forward in managing the complexity of 5G networks, delivering superior efficiency and customer experience. Together, we are shaping the future of network operations."

Masafumi Masuda, General Manager of Radio Access Design Department and Senior Vice President at NTT DOCOMO, stated: "Nokia's highly automated MantaRay SON solution will help us deliver an enhanced customer experience by accelerating our quality improvement cycles. Its open interface capabilities will strengthen our O-RAN 5G commercial network, while its advanced AI features will reduce operational costs and further improve service quality. We are excited to continue this journey with Nokia, a trusted partner that has supported us every step of the way as we move toward more open networks."

The collaboration reinforces DOCOMO's position at the forefront of 5G network automation in Japan and demonstrates practical, large-scale application of AI to manage the growing complexity of modern mobile networks while maintaining high service standards for millions of subscribers.