Nokia has announced it will introduce dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) as a software upgrade in time for commercial 5G FDD mass-market device launches in 2020. DSS enables operators to use the same spectrum for both LTE and 5G New Radio (NR). Certain operators, depending on their spectrum allocation and technology roadmap, will be able to use existing LTE spectrum without having to dedicate scarce resources specifically for 5G.
In line with Ericsson and other major vendors, Nokia is introducing the technology as the market moves towards 5G. The practical benefits of using DSS vary between operators due to their differing radio spectrum assets, but operators in the US for example, including Verizon and AT&T, have cited DSS as an important technology for extending 5G services.