# Eastlink switches on a 5G standalone core and pledges $12 million more for Atlantic Canada

> The regional carrier's Nokia-built core upgrade follows $30 million in network spending over the past year.

- Published: 2026-10-14T15:00:00.000Z
- By: The Circuit Staff
- Type: News
- Topics: Telecom
- URL: https://thecircuit.ca/posts/2026-10-14-eastlink-5g-standalone/

Eastlink has finished upgrading its mobile network core to Nokia's 5G Standalone technology, [MobileSyrup reports](https://mobilesyrup.com/2026/10/14/eastlink-nokia-5g-standalone-core/). The company says it improves capacity, reliability and scalability, and lays the groundwork for future services.

The numbers:

- **$30 million** spent over the past year on radio network upgrades and new towers, including rural sites in Nova Scotia (East LaHave, New Germany) and P.E.I. (Cornwall, New Glasgow).
- **$12 million** more committed to modernization and bringing 5G to new locations across Atlantic Canada.
- **1,200+ sites** today, from towers to rooftop, in-building and small-cell installations, with 180 more in progress.

"Standalone" means the 5G network no longer leans on a 4G core underneath. That's what enables network slicing, lower latency and more efficient capacity. Eastlink didn't say which new services it plans.

**Why it matters:** Regional carriers are how the Big Three get competition in Atlantic Canada. Eastlink investing in its own modern core and rural coverage, instead of relying on roaming, makes it a more credible alternative for customers in the region.