One New Zealand has expanded its strategic partnership with Nokia (0HAF) to accelerate the deployment of AI-native network operations, the companies announced. Under the agreement, One New Zealand will deploy Nokia Assurance Center and Nokia's Autonomous Networks Data Suite, alongside R&D co-creation and consulting services. The deal builds on Unified Inventory and Nokia Orchestration Center investments made in 2025, extending One New Zealand's drive toward TM Forum Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous network capabilities. Investors in Nokia will be watching whether this partnership model can be replicated across other major telecoms operators globally.

Key Points

  • Nokia Oyj (0HAF) has expanded its existing partnership with One New Zealand under a new autonomous networks agreement
  • One New Zealand will deploy Nokia Assurance Center and Autonomous Networks Data Suite, supported by Nokia R&D co-creation and consulting services
  • The agreement targets TM Forum Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous network capabilities, building on 2025 Unified Inventory and Orchestration Center investments
  • Investors should watch for further operator partnerships as Nokia pursues its autonomous networks strategy for the AI era

Nokia Assurance Center and Autonomous Networks Data Suite to Underpin One New Zealand Deployment

At the core of the expanded agreement is One New Zealand's deployment of Nokia Assurance Center and the Autonomous Networks Data Suite. These tools are designed to establish what the announcement describes as a unified, trusted foundation that enables the operator to anticipate network conditions, make faster decisions, and act before issues affect customers. Nokia will also supply R&D co-creation and consulting services as part of the arrangement. The contract value was not disclosed in the announcement. The combined toolset is intended to bring different operational frameworks into an increasingly integrated structure supporting progressive automation.

Building on 2025 Nokia Investments to Pursue TM Forum Level 3 and Level 4 Autonomy

The agreement represents the next step in a partnership that has already seen One New Zealand invest in Nokia's Unified Inventory and Nokia Orchestration Center during 2025. By layering Assurance Center and the Autonomous Networks Data Suite onto that existing foundation, One New Zealand is working toward TM Forum Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous network capabilities — industry benchmarks that define the degree to which a network can self-manage, self-optimise, and self-heal. Sharina Nisha, CTO at One New Zealand, described the agreement as part of a broader transformation already under way, focused on predictive, data-driven operations.

Nokia's Glass-Box Approach Prioritises Operational Transparency and Data Sovereignty

A distinctive element of Nokia's autonomous networks offering is what the company terms its glass-box approach, which provides operations teams with visibility into decisions, actions, and governance rather than treating automation as a black-box process. The announcement also highlights that open interfaces and on-premises deployment options will give One New Zealand flexibility to develop new AI and automation use cases while retaining sovereignty over its data, models, and operational environment — a consideration of increasing importance for telecommunications operators managing sensitive national infrastructure.

Nokia Positions Autonomous Networks Capability as Central to Its AI Era Strategy

Nokia framed the One New Zealand partnership within its broader strategic ambition to build autonomous networks for what it describes as the AI era, in which networks must evolve from static infrastructure into programmable, AI-native platforms. Shkumbin Hamiti, Head of Autonomous Networks at Nokia, stated that the goal is to enable networks to sense changing conditions, make trusted decisions, and act at machine speed. Nokia describes itself as a global leader in connectivity infrastructure across fixed, mobile, IP, optical, core, and data centre networks, positioning autonomous network solutions as a key growth vector.