Espoo, Finland — November 25, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Nokia and NTT DOCOMO, INC. have partnered to deploy Nokia’s autonomous MantaRay SON (Self-Organizing Networks) solution in DOCOMO’s multi-vendor LTE and 5G radio access network (RAN). This marks the first implementation in Japan of Nokia’s 5G base station combined with DOCOMO’s operation systems, enabling advanced automation and operational efficiency for 5G operations.
The deployment is underway and is expected to improve operational efficiency and enhance the experience for DOCOMO’s customers.
Nokia’s MantaRay SON solution is designed to address the increasing complexity of 5G networks, which involve thousands of base stations and millions of cells. It automates routine operations, improving network quality, efficiency, and customer experience while reducing operational costs.
The integration of MantaRay SON into DOCOMO’s network allows for automation of planning, provisioning, and verification processes. It also enables closed-loop operations, where configuration changes in 5G systems are detected and executed automatically without human intervention. This enhances alignment between different operational systems and ensures timely quality improvements and better network performance.
Looking ahead, MantaRay SON will further evolve in DOCOMO’s network with multi-vendor support, MantaRay AutoPilot, and Non-RT RIC capabilities to deliver even greater automation and intelligence.
Mark Atkinson, Head of Radio Access Networks at Nokia, said Nokia is proud to partner with NTT DOCOMO to bring AI-driven automation to Japan’s telecom industry. He added that MantaRay SON represents a leap forward in managing the complexity of 5G networks, delivering superior efficiency and customer experience. He stated that together, they are shaping the future of network operations.
Masafumi Masuda, General Manager of Radio Access Design Department, Senior Vice President, NTT DOCOMO, INC, said that Nokia’s highly automated MantaRay SON solution will help them deliver an enhanced customer experience by accelerating their quality improvement cycles. He added that its open interface capabilities will strengthen their O-RAN 5G commercial network, while its advanced AI features will reduce operational costs and further improve service quality. He said they are excited to continue this journey with Nokia, a trusted partner that has supported them every step of the way as they move toward more open networks.
Nokia’s MantaRay SON is a key component of its Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework, which leverages AI to optimize network operations. The solution also supports DOCOMO’s goal of achieving Level 4 autonomous network operations, further advancing automation across its infrastructure.
Nokia Press Office
Email: Press.Services@nokia.com
Source: Nokia
