Eastlink has finished upgrading its mobile network core to Nokia’s 5G Standalone technology, MobileSyrup reports. The company says it improves capacity, reliability and scalability, and lays the groundwork for future services.
The numbers:
- $30 million spent over the past year on radio network upgrades and new towers, including rural sites in Nova Scotia (East LaHave, New Germany) and P.E.I. (Cornwall, New Glasgow).
- $12 million more committed to modernization and bringing 5G to new locations across Atlantic Canada.
- 1,200+ sites today, from towers to rooftop, in-building and small-cell installations, with 180 more in progress.
“Standalone” means the 5G network no longer leans on a 4G core underneath. That’s what enables network slicing, lower latency and more efficient capacity. Eastlink didn’t say which new services it plans.
Why it matters: Regional carriers are how the Big Three get competition in Atlantic Canada. Eastlink investing in its own modern core and rural coverage, instead of relying on roaming, makes it a more credible alternative for customers in the region.
