The Nokia AirScale ABIA and ABIO are both capacity (baseband) plug-in units for the AirScale System Module, and both fit the same AMIA, AMOB and AMOD subracks. The difference is generation and workload: the ABIA (473096A) is the original multi-RAT card for GSM, WCDMA and LTE with 6 x SFP+ CPRI/OBSAI ports, while the ABIO (475266A) is a later high-capacity card for LTE and 5G NR with 9 x SFP28 ports, eCPRI support and much higher Layer 1 throughput. ABIO also needs an ASIB or ASIL common unit, so it is not a drop-in upgrade for every existing ABIA site.
This guide compares the two cards side by side and explains what to check when buying either one as used equipment.
Where ABIA and ABIO Sit in a Nokia AirScale BTS
A Nokia AirScale System Module is built from a subrack plus plug-in units:
- Subrack – for example the indoor Nokia AMIA (473098A), which holds up to 2 common and 6 capacity plug-in units.
- Common plug-in unit – ASIA, ASIB or ASIL. It handles transport, control and synchronisation.
- Capacity plug-in unit – ABIA, ABIO and other ABxx cards. They run the baseband processing and connect to the radios over optical fronthaul.
So the choice between ABIA and ABIO is a choice about baseband capacity and radio technology. It also affects which common unit you need. If you are still deciding on the common unit, see our earlier article Nokia AirScale ASIA vs ASIB.
ABIA vs ABIO: Specification Comparison
The figures below come from Nokia’s AirScale System Module product description (ABIA) and the Nokia ABIO technical datasheet. Where Nokia does not publish a comparable figure for one card, the cell is marked “not listed” rather than estimated.
| Item | Nokia ABIA | Nokia ABIO |
|---|---|---|
| Product code | 473096A | 475266A |
| Role | Capacity plug-in unit | LTE/5G NR high-capacity plug-in unit |
| Radio technologies | GSM, WCDMA, LTE | LTE and 5G NR (can run at the same time) |
| Fronthaul ports | 6 x SFP+ (RF1–RF6) | 9 x SFP28 |
| Fronthaul protocols | CPRI 2.45/4.91/6.14/9.83 Gbps or OBSAI RP3-01 3/6 Gbps | eCPRI 10/25 Gbps, CPRI up to 9.8 Gbps, OBSAI 3/6 Gbps |
| L1 throughput | Not listed | 14 Gbps DL / 7 Gbps UL |
| Cell capacity | Not listed | Up to 12 x 100 MHz NR cells, or up to 48 LTE/NR narrowband cells (2T2R or 4T4R) |
| Massive MIMO | Not listed | 32 DL / 16 UL layers |
| Typical power | 96 W at 25°C (106 W at 55°C) | 160 W at 25°C (270 W max, fully populated) |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 25 x 219 x 364 mm | 25 x 219 x 364 mm |
| Weight | 2.1 kg | 2.65 kg |
| Common units | ASIA, ASIB, ASIL | ASIB, ASIL |
| Subracks | AMIA, AMOB, AMOD | AMIA, AMOB, AMOD |
Key Differences Explained
1. Radio technology: 2G/3G/4G vs 4G/5G
The Nokia ABIA is the card to use when a site must carry GSM or WCDMA. Nokia’s product description lists GSM, WCDMA and LTE for ABIA. This makes it a common choice for multi-RAT swap projects and for keeping legacy 2G/3G layers running on AirScale hardware.
The Nokia ABIO is designed for LTE and 5G NR, and both can run on the same card. It does not list GSM or WCDMA. If your network plan includes NR carriers, or many LTE carriers at 4T4R, ABIO is the relevant card.
2. Fronthaul: SFP+ CPRI/OBSAI vs SFP28 eCPRI
ABIA has six SFP+ ports that run CPRI up to 9.83 Gbps or OBSAI. That matches Flexi and earlier AirScale radios, which use CPRI or OBSAI links. ABIO has nine SFP28 ports and adds eCPRI at 10 or 25 Gbps, while still supporting CPRI and OBSAI. Nokia notes that different fronthaul types can run at the same time on ABIO. In practice this means one ABIO can serve older CPRI radios and newer eCPRI radios on the same card.
Plan the optics carefully. ABIO’s 25 Gbps eCPRI links need SFP28 modules. ABIA ports only take SFP+ class optics.
3. Capacity
Nokia publishes detailed capacity figures for ABIO: 14 Gbps downlink and 7 Gbps uplink at Layer 1, up to 12 NR cells at 100 MHz, or up to 48 narrowband LTE/NR cells. It also supports massive MIMO with 32 downlink and 16 uplink layers. ABIA is an earlier-generation card. In real projects, one ABIO is usually chosen to replace several older capacity cards or to add 5G layers. Exact ABIA cell capacity depends on the software release and configuration, so confirm it against your own Nokia documentation and licence plan.
4. Power and cooling
Both cards have the same physical size and fit the same capacity slots. ABIO draws more power: about 160 W typical against about 96 W for ABIA, and up to 270 W when all ports are populated at maximum ambient temperature. Before adding ABIO cards to an existing AMIA or AMOB, check the subrack power budget, the DC supply and the cooling, especially in outdoor cabinets.
5. Common unit dependency
This is the point most often missed. ABIA works with ASIA, ASIB and ASIL. The ABIO datasheet lists only ASIB and ASIL. A site that still runs an ASIA common unit therefore needs a common unit change before an ABIO can be used. This is why many operators upgrading to 5G buy ABIO together with an ASIB (473764A).
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose ABIA for GSM/WCDMA/LTE sites, for spares in an existing ABIA fleet, or when your radios are CPRI/OBSAI only and no 5G NR is planned. It also works with ASIA.
- Choose ABIO for LTE/5G NR sites, high-capacity 4T4R LTE, massive MIMO, or when you need eCPRI fronthaul. Make sure the site has ASIB or ASIL and enough power.
- Mixed configurations are possible because both cards fit the same subracks. Check with your Nokia software release and configuration rules which card combinations are supported in one system module.
If you are moving from the older Flexi Multiradio platform, our article Nokia FSMF to AirScale: Upgrade Path Explained covers the full migration.
What to Check When Buying a Used ABIA or ABIO
- Product code on the label: 473096A for ABIA, 475266A for ABIO. Check the version suffix and serial number and record both.
- Software compatibility: make sure your network’s AirScale software release supports the card. ABIO needs a newer release than ABIA.
- Licences: capacity and features are licensed by the network, not stored on the card. Confirm that your licence pool covers the extra cells or NR carriers.
- Connector condition: inspect the SFP cages and the backplane connector for bent pins, corrosion or damage.
- Power-on test: the card should start in a subrack with a matching common unit, show normal LED status and report no hardware alarms.
- Optics: SFP modules are usually sold separately. Order the right type and speed for each fronthaul link.
FAQ
Can I replace an ABIA with an ABIO in the same slot?
Physically yes, because both cards have the same dimensions and fit AMIA, AMOB and AMOD. In operation, the site also needs an ASIB or ASIL common unit, a software release that supports ABIO, enough power, and radios configured for the new card. GSM and WCDMA cells cannot move to ABIO.
Does the ABIA support 5G NR?
Nokia’s AirScale System Module product description lists GSM, WCDMA and LTE for ABIA. For 5G NR, Nokia positions ABIO as the LTE/5G NR high-capacity card.
Does ABIO work with ASIA?
The ABIO datasheet lists ASIB and ASIL as compatible common units. ASIA is not listed, so plan an ASIB or ASIL with every ABIO deployment.
Do ABIA and ABIO include SFP modules?
Not normally. The cards provide SFP+ (ABIA) or SFP28 (ABIO) cages. The optical modules are selected per link and ordered separately.
Source Tested Nokia AirScale Baseband from Haokang Trading
We supply used and refurbished Nokia AirScale ABIA, ABIO, ASIB and AMIA units, plus Flexi and AirScale radios. See the full range in our Nokia category. All units are tested before shipment and come with a 90-day warranty, and we ship worldwide in secure packaging. Contact us on WhatsApp at +86 187 3329 4669 or +86 139 3088 8705, email jack@telecombts.com, or use the form at https://telecombts.com/contact-us/.