Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 15, Ericsson has been selected as Vodafone’s sole Radio Access Network (RAN) vendor in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Portugal, and will serve as a major supplier in Germany, Romania, and Egypt, under a large-scale network modernization agreement. The partnership is designed to upgrade Vodafone’s RAN infrastructure and support the broad deployment of 5G Standalone technology, enabling enhanced connectivity for individual and business users across these markets.

Through this collaboration, Vodafone will deploy Ericsson’s Open RAN-compatible Massive MIMO radios, RAN Compute solutions, and 5G Advanced RAN software across its European and Middle Eastern networks. These technologies will increase network efficiency, performance, and flexibility, helping Vodafone deliver faster, more reliable mobile services.

The partnership also includes the introduction of Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation Platform and AI-powered rApps, which are designed to improve RAN optimization and enable automated network management. Germany will be the first market to implement this platform, with deployment expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. The integration of AI-driven automation is expected to reduce operational costs and enhance real-time responsiveness in network operations.

Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone, stated: “This strategic partnership with Ericsson marks a significant step in our network evolution journey. 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, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Ericsson, commented: “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 solutions across consumer and enterprise segments, we’re opening new opportunities for service monetisation and driving the next wave of telecommunications innovation.”

The partnership between Vodafone and Ericsson represents a major milestone in advancing next-generation 5G infrastructure across multiple markets. By combining automation, AI, and Open RAN technologies, the companies aim to enhance both network performance and service innovation, positioning Vodafone to meet future connectivity demands efficiently and deliver high-quality digital experiences to customers worldwide.