SETAR, the leading communications provider in Aruba, extends its current partnership with Nokia in an agreement to provide a full end-to-end 5G network transformation in Aruba. In a phased approach, the deal will see Nokia upgrading RAN access and modernizing elements of the core and data management systems. This is the first throughout 5G deal for Nokia in Latin America.

SETAR is the incumbent communications service provider in Aruba and the leader in all segments of communications, including mobile, cable TV, fixed and broadband. The upgrade to its network will future-proof its infrastructure and offer new business services in areas like hospitality, healthcare and gaming. By working with Nokia’s end-to-end portfolio, SETAR benefits from accelerated time-to-market and improved total cost of ownership.

The SETAR network evolution project consists of:

* Enhancing and evolving SETAR’s network architecture with Centralized RAN and AirScale Cloud Controllers to support more capacity while managing network resources more efficiently.

* Site simplification by deploying Nokia AirScale dual and triple band AirScale RRHs reducing more than 60 percent site space requirements.

* Activation of advanced features like Carrier

SETAR has been a trusted partner for years and this new investment is an important step in delivering real 5G to the island

aggregation, 256QAM and MIMO4x4 to enable three-to-four times higher downlink speeds.

* An upgrade to 5G in the first selected sites using Nokia massive MIMO technology with 64 antennas to enable new mobile broadband uses cases like Fixed Wireless Access, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Tourism 4.0 and Smart Cities.

* The introduction of a shared data layer that increases the efficiency of subscription and authentication services by a factor of three.

* The installation of a virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) that delivers a three-fold increase in the efficiency of the mobility and gateway functions.

Commenting on this partnership, Roland Croes, MD, SETAR, says, “Nokia has been a long-term partner in SETAR’s modernization program, delivering on our plans to bring Aruba a world-class communications network. Through our partnership to bring 5G to the island, we will ensure Aruba has the highest quality of services and maintains itself as a desirable place to live for our 110,000 residents and a top destination for 2 million tourists a year.”

“SETAR has been a trusted partner for years and this new investment is an important step in delivering real 5G to the island. Choosing Nokia as the main vendor for this network means SETAR will benefit from an overall improvement in rollout time, cost of ownership and flexibility in the deployment, and demonstrates the adaptability of our 5G solution for service providers, whatever their size,” concludes Osvaldo Di Campli, Head, Nokia Latin America.