In a five-year partnership, Ericsson will modernise Vodafone’s network footprint using programmable technology across several key markets.

Ericsson will be Vodafone’s sole RAN vendor in Ireland, Netherlands and Portugal, as well as a major vendor in Germany, Romania and Egypt. This move deepens the long-standing relationship between the two companies.

The modernisation of Vodafone’s RAN infrastructure and management will lay the foundation for widespread deployment of 5G Standalone, enabling Vodafone to offer differentiated connectivity with guaranteed, performance-based characteristics for its consumer and enterprise users.

Under the partnership, Vodafone will deploy Ericsson’s Open RAN-compatible massive MIMO radios and RAN compute technology, as well as 5G Advanced RAN software capabilities across its networks in these markets.

The pan-European deal introduces Ericsson’s intelligent automation platform and a number of AI-powered rApps which will be deployed market-by-market to deliver automated RAN optimisation, energy efficiency and management of the multi-vendor network.

Germany will be the first market to deploy the platform and rApps for Ericsson and multi-vendor RAN management, with work beginning this year. The AI and network evolution partnership will elevate Vodafone’s infrastructure, taking the first steps towards autonomous networks and ensuring the networks are at the forefront of technological advancement and capable of meeting future demands.

“This strategic partnership with Ericsson marks a significant step in our network evolution journey,” said Alberto Ripepi, chief network officer at Vodafone. “By modernising our network with latest generation equipment and embracing high-performing new 5G Advanced capabilities, we’re transforming our infrastructure for best customer experience and high network efficiency, utilising automation and AI agents to seamlessly meet network demands in real time. We’re also laying the groundwork to capitalise on the emerging market for network APIs through our joint venture, Aduna. This powerful combination will allow us to expose our network capabilities to developers, spurring a wave of innovation in applications and services, and positioning Vodafone at the forefront of network technology and innovation.”

Patrick Johansson, Ericsson (www.ericsson.com) senior vice president, added: “We are proud to expand our long-standing relationship with Vodafone through this transformative agreement. This partnership aligns with our vision for high-performing programmable networks, laying a robust foundation for Vodafone to deliver differentiated connectivity experiences. By enabling innovative, performance-based options across consumer and enterprise segments, we’re opening new opportunities for service monetisation and driving the next wave of telecommunications innovation.”

Vodafone (www.vodafone.com) will enhance its network infrastructure by using Ericsson 5G Advanced RAN software that employs AI and automation to enable intelligent, real-time network management, improve operational and energy efficiency, deliver superior device and network performance, and create opportunities for new revenue streams through differentiated connectivity services.

By embracing high-performing programmable network architectures, this partnership sets the stage for accelerated innovation and the development of use cases across Vodafone’s markets. This approach should ensure Vodafone’s network infrastructure is fit for the future and adaptable to emerging technologies.

This announcement comes after VodafoneThree (www.vodafonethree.com) signed a SEK12.5bn eight-year partnership with Ericsson in September to power most of its next-generation mobile network. In addition to securing sole UK nationwide core network vendor status, Ericsson radio products and software will also power a significant majority of the enhanced VodafoneThree radio network, supporting the communication service provider’s ambition to provide 99.95 per cent 5G SA population coverage across the UK by 2034.

Nokia (www.nokia.com) has maintained its role as Vodafone’s partner in Europe and Africa as part of Vodafone’s five-year RAN investment programme. The deal follows Nokia’s recent RAN agreement with VodafoneThree, part of the largest privately funded telecommunications infrastructure project in Europe.