Designed to open up private wireless for mass adoption by a new range of customers, applications and markets, the Nokia Industrial MulteFire router 700 user equipment (UE) is available for deployment with Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC).

The Nokia MulteFire-standard UE and Nokia MulteFire access point are for use with the Nokia DAC platform, enabling simple, fast set-up of private wireless connectivity. The Nokia MulteFire private wireless solution is suitable for both permanent networking and temporary deployments in use cases such as sporting and cultural events, media broadcasting, construction sites, field hospitals and public emergencies.

MulteFire is an LTE-based technology that operates in unlicensed spectrum, including the global 5GHz band. By providing an easy-to-use, pre-integrated solution, Nokia is making carrier-grade 4.9G/LTE private wireless available to a host of potential new users. With deployment available globally, it can be used by customers currently without access to licensed spectrum, or bring additional capacity as a complementary layer to wireless networks.

Nokia cloud and networking services vice president enterprise solutions Stephan Litjens said: “Being first to market with the only fully industry-approved MulteFire solution available, allows Nokia to set a new standard in wireless broadband convenience and affordability for a worldwide mass market.

"Our unique MulteFire UE solution further extends our market-leading portfolio of industrial-grade connectivity solutions, and by doing so, also brings Industry 4.0 one step closer for small and medium-sized enterprises.”

Nokia say, bringing enhanced coverage and capacity, low latency and mobility, the new Nokia MulteFire solution can be used to complement private wireless networks in licensed spectrum by delivering additional capacity over 5GHz unlicensed spectrum. For mobile operators offering private wireless to their customers, it enables them to tier their private wireless portfolio, with more economical offerings geared towards new markets.

Safari Solutions CTO Hien Nguyen said: “A core part of our business is event services, such as sports, trade shows and broadcast services, which involve frequent, fast deployment of IT systems where reliable communications connectivity is business critical. With the Nokia MulteFire private wireless solution, we now have a major boost to our connectivity options with fast, reliable and easy-to-deploy mobile broadband, regardless of location or licensed spectrum availability. A huge improvement on Wi-Fi in terms of coverage, security and reliability, and reducing dependency on commercial networks, Nokia MulteFire opens up a range of new possibilities in terms of what we can offer our clients.”

Litjens added: “Following growth in private wireless adoption across asset-intensive industries, our MulteFire offering now sets the stage for take-up by an entirely new range of customers, across public sector and enterprises. And, without the need for licensed spectrum, that appeal is now global.”

Moor Insights and Strategy senior analyst security carriers and enterprise networking Will Townsend said: “MulteFire has the potential to significantly contribute to private wireless networking adoption given its ability to deploy over unlicensed spectrum. Nokia's focus on easing deployment based on a plug-and-play approach could make it a compelling consideration for enterprises concerned about the complexities of managing cellular networking infrastructure.”

The Nokia DAC comprises network and user equipment, a cloud-based operation monitoring system and industrial connectors that ease standard and industry-specific protocol connectivity. Nokia say it features device management capability that seamlessly integrates ruggedised handhelds and other wireless devices.

Nokia is a founding member of the MFA, an international organisation that champions global industry adoption of private cellular networks using unlicensed spectrum. Nokia say the Industrial MulteFire router 700 solution is the first device to have been independently certified by MFA. Based on 3GPP Release 13 and 14 and MulteFire R1.0 standard, MulteFire supports Listen-Before-Talk for co-existence with Wi-Fi and other technologies operating in the same spectrum.

Nokia say it has deployed mission-critical networks to over 1,500 leading enterprise customers in the transport, energy, large enterprise, manufacturing, webscale, and public sector segments around the globe.