Ericsson unveiled innovative radio and antenna products designed to enhance support for telecommunications operators, along with an open Front Hall solution called RAN Connect, on the 19th, ahead of the world's largest mobile exhibition, MWC 2025, held in Barcelona, Spain.
Ericsson plans to launch 130 new radio products supporting open programmable networks within the year. This upcoming product line is expected to account for more than two-thirds of the overall shipments for the year, supporting the programmability needed for telecommunications operators to lead the industry and the evolution of future-oriented networks. Programmability utilizes the multi-core architecture and various power-saving modes applied to Ericsson silicon to implement energy-saving features without disrupting customer experience.
The enhanced portfolio centers around the flagship product AIR 3266, which supports 400W output as a broadband TDD massive MIMO radio with a slim design. The AIR 3266 improves spectrum efficiency and uplink performance, enhances energy consumption by up to 30%, and reduces inherent carbon emissions by up to 50%. It applies the latest Ericsson silicon and features 32 transmit-receive antennas.
Mårten Lerner, head of Ericsson networks, noted, "With an expected transmission of about 80% of total mobile traffic through 5G (5th generation mobile communication) by the end of 2030, there is a growing industry need for 5G equipment with a perfect balance of excellent performance, industry-leading total cost of ownership (TCO), and sustainability." He added, "Lightweight radios simplify deployment, and interleaved antennas can optimize site usage by combining multiple massive MIMO frequency bands."
He also added, "As many customers evolve their architectures to address the demand for high-performance programmable networks of all types of consolidation, Ericsson supports cost reduction and maximization of efficiency through cutting-edge hardware design. Sustainability is also a core element of all solutions, leveraging energy-efficient designs, recyclable materials, and passive cooling to achieve net zero goals."
Joe Madden, founder and chief analyst of the market research firm Mobile Experts, stated, "I believe the silicon technology achieved by Ericsson within open programmable network architecture is an advanced outcome in terms of network efficiency and flexibility. Following the changes of high-performance radio products launched each year is no small task, yet Ericsson has made substantial investments to stay ahead of the innovation curve."