Elisa partners with Nvidia and Nokia for AI-driven mobile network

Finnish telecommunications company Elisa has announced a collaboration with Nvidia and Nokia to implement distributed AI computing within its mobile network. The partnership aims to build an AI-RAN (Radio Access Network) infrastructure, which allows a mobile network to function simultaneously as a telecommunications link and a platform for AI services.

Elisa has completed Europe’s first production trials of AI-RAN technology using its 5G Advanced network in Helsinki. During these trials, the platform successfully managed voice calls and data traffic while simultaneously running video analytics AI applications. The technical implementation utilized Nokia’s AI-RAN solutions and Nvidia’s GPU-accelerated computing.

By creating a distributed computing platform, data can be processed closer to where it is generated and consumed, reducing the need for centralized data centers. This capability supports real-time applications such as AI voice assistants, local video analytics for sensitive footage, and autonomous AI agents for network optimization. Elisa plans to evaluate the commercial potential of this technology over the coming year, viewing it as a foundational step toward the 6G era.