NVIDIA and Nokia Partner to Build AI-Powered 6G Networks

NVIDIA and Nokia are joining forces to redefine the future of mobile connectivity, bringing the power of artificial intelligence directly into the heart of telecommunications infrastructure. In one of the most ambitious partnerships of the decade, NVIDIA has announced a strategic collaboration with Nokia to develop next-generation 6G networks built on AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network) technology. This marks a bold step toward a future where AI doesn’t just enhance communication but becomes an integral part of it.

The announcement came during the GTC 2025 keynote, where NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang revealed that the company would invest $1 billion into Nokia at a price of $6.01 per share.

The partnership aims to launch a fully AI-native wireless era – one where machine learning models will optimize data routing, signal processing, and even predictive maintenance in real time. This synergy could transform the way devices connect, paving the way for faster, more efficient, and context-aware mobile experiences.

At the center of this technological leap is NVIDIA’s new platform called ARC (Aerial RAN Computer), which combines Grace CPUs and Blackwell GPUs. ARC isn’t just another hardware suite; it’s a reimagined computing platform where telecom meets supercomputing. By embedding RAN software directly into the CUDA architecture, ARC will allow network providers to handle unprecedented data throughput, intelligent resource allocation, and dynamic signal optimization – all powered by real-time AI inference.

Nokia, on its part, is integrating NVIDIA’s ARC ecosystem into its existing RAN infrastructure, enabling a smooth transition from current 5G networks to AI-driven 6G systems. This collaboration means carriers can start deploying AI-enhanced capabilities long before full 6G standards arrive. Nokia’s new ARC-Pro embedded solutions will form the backbone of its AI-RAN portfolio, offering operators scalable edge intelligence and low-latency services for both consumers and enterprises.

The implications stretch beyond faster internet. AI-RAN could revolutionize edge computing, enabling autonomous systems, smart cities, and immersive AR/VR environments that depend on instant data analysis at the network edge. With distributed AI inference happening closer to users, latency could drop dramatically, making real-time holographic calls or AI-assisted industrial robotics feasible.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile is slated to begin field testing AI-RAN technologies in 2026, marking the first real-world trial phase of the 6G ecosystem in the United States. If successful, this could accelerate 6G adoption worldwide and position both NVIDIA and Nokia as cornerstones of the next digital revolution.

After years of stagnation, this move might also signal a remarkable comeback for Nokia – a company once synonymous with innovation, now poised to re-enter the global spotlight through its partnership with NVIDIA. Whether this new AI-driven vision of wireless connectivity lives up to its potential remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the age of AI-native telecom is officially underway.