Ericsson has announced that it has been selected by Vodafone Idea Limited which combinedly India’s leading telecom service provider, to deploy 5G-ready equipment across select markets in India. As a VIL partner, Ericsson is deploying next-generation technology with built-in customizations and innovations to deliver rich consumer experience.
As part of the contract, Ericsson is supplying radio access and transport equipment from its 5G-ready Ericsson Radio System portfolio, including the MINI-LINK 6000 microwave backhaul solution. These deployments will provide VIL’s network with advanced LTE capabilities, high capacity, low latency microwave backhaul and enable rapid deployment 5G services in future.
This will also improve VIL’s spectral and energy efficiency while increasing overall network capacity. Ericsson India has already begun radio access and microwave network consolidation and modernization with the cornerstones of increased coverage, quality and capacity with optimal opex and capex efficiency. Consolidation of existing deployed base (2G/3G) will be carried out to maximize spectrum on LTE, followed by ongoing optimization of the network. In another news, Ericsson is evolving its 5G Platform with portfolio additions across core, radio access, and transport areas, as well as service orchestration.
With early 5G deployments underway in dense urban areas, the next step is to improve 4G performance and build 5G coverage outside of cities. This will continuously require a combination of fiber and microwave-based transport solutions. For this reason, Ericsson is enhancing the capacity of its microwave portfolio and adding a new MINI-LINK 6200 family of 5G-ready Long Haul solutions supporting up to 10Gbps capacities. The company is also expanding its router and fronthaul portfolios to offer service providers flexible and modular solutions suited to their deployment needs.
Nunzio Mirtillo, Head of Ericsson South East Asia, Oceania and India said:
We have been strategic partners to both Vodafone India and Idea Cellular for several years, and now we enter a new phase of partnership with this deal with VIL. The 5G-ready solutions in the Ericsson Radio System portfolio will help boost the capacity of VIL’s LTE network and broaden the availability of high-quality mobile broadband services for its customers. These deployments will play an important role in building VIL’s future-ready 5G network.
Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks, Ericsson, said:
Ericsson has the portfolio in place for service providers to switch on 5G today and we are currently rolling out commercial 5G networks in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia. We’re continuously developing our portfolio to make life easier for our customers, enabling them to manage increased data traffic growth, simplify operations, and secure 5G revenues.