In a bid to help industry professionals realize the full potential of end-to-end fifth generation (5G) wireless networks, Nokia Corporation has introduced a certification program on 5G. The Nokia Bell Labs End-to-End 5G Certification Program is a first-of-its-kind program that will offer professionals across the information and communications technology (ICT).

The certification will have two levels, the associate and professional, and will aim to deliver essential knowledge covering everything from the basics of 5G networks to professional level planning and design. The vendor-agnostic certification program is designed for business and technology professionals at communications service providers and enterprises.

By having their employees gain a greater understanding and proficiency in the application of end-to-end 5G technologies, companies will benefit from faster realization of 5G strategies and the competitive advantage of providing high-value 5G services.

The Nokia Bell Labs 5G Certification Program will officially launch at the end of February with the introduction of its Associate Level Certification and End-to-End 5G Foundation course. Professional level certifications and courses will follow later in 2020.

Nokia said its end-to-end product and services portfolio covers all 5G network elements, including radio, core, cloud and transport as well as management, automation and security. This offers operators and enterprise customers with a simple and efficient step-wise upgrade to existing radio access, core and transport domains, helping customers identify a faster path to 5G. Approximately 60 percent of Nokia's 5G customers have selected more than just New Radio from its end-to-end portfolio.