Nokia has deployed a dense small cell network to enable real-time video at a motor racing event in Shanghai, China.
The vendor worked with China Mobile on the project, which Nokia claimed was the first “large scale” implementation of mobile edge computing and edge video orchestration.
Spectators were able to watch a variety of high definition live video feeds on their smartphones with close to zero latency. The feeds included different angles from the event, including a live feed from the driver’s cockpit.
Nokia deployed its Flexi Zone small cells and Airscale Wi-Fi products, as well as IP service routers and access networks to build the network.
Mark Atkinson, Head of small cells and Wi-Fi business line at Nokia, said: “Today’s connected consumer expects high-quality mobile data service everywhere, not least in a very densely packed stadium.”
Meng Xin, Deputy GM of Shanghai Mobile’s Optimisation Centre, said: “We set high expectations with a superb mobile data experience at the event in 2015 and we are pleased to work with Nokia again this year with ultra-high capacity small cells network offering our subscribers a unique real-time video experience.”
China Mobile has been an enthusiastic backer of small cells, with the operator announcing earlier this year it was rolling out LTE-U compatible devices.
While small cells have been boosted by double digit growth during the past year, it is still trailing considerably behind the 2G and 3G radio access network sector. IHS recently said 1.4 million small cell units were shipped during the past 12 months.