Nokia to develop 5G in France through R&D pact with B-com

4 Jan 2017

The deal will accelerate the development of 5G in France. Image: s4svisuals/Shutterstock

Nokia is to advance the development of 5G in France through an investment in French R&D powerhouse B-com.

From this month, the research and innovation teams of Nokia Bell Labs will be involved in projects related to the deployment and security of upcoming 5G standards at B-com’s Lannion site in Britanny, north-west France.

As a result, Nokia will be able to use B-com expertise in the areas of cloud computing, internet of things, network virtualisation and software-defined networks.

‘It makes us a key player in the European innovation landscape related to the future digital society subjects: 5G and cybersecurity’
– VINCENT MARCATTÉ

“This partnership with B-com is fully in line with Nokia’s open innovation strategy and confirms our position as a key player in France’s digital ecosystem,” said Marc Rouanne, chief innovation and operating officer of the Nokia Group.

“More than ever, the complexity of 5G networks involves collaborating with others in industry and academia to accelerate development. Our involvement, through our Nokia Bell Labs teams, will primarily relate to the virtualisation of networks and cybersecurity,” Rouanne said.

A 5G future for France

Nokia was attracted to B-com not only because of its prowess in capturing vital EU Horizon 2020 projects, but the progress and philosophy of the organisation.

In just four years, the research centre has attracted 230 researchers, opened four sites, contributed to major open source communities and taken part in various tech breakthroughs in France and abroad.

“This announcement strengthens our involvement in French initiatives like the ‘Plan Souveraineté Télécom’ and the ‘Pôle d’Excellence Cybersécurité’,” added Vincent Marcatté, president of B-com.

“It makes us a key player in the European innovation landscape related to the future digital society subjects: 5G and cybersecurity.”

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com