📋 Tender Overview
EE begins deployment of Ericssons industry-leading Massive MIMO radio equipment across key UK sites accelerating 5G deployment and modernising network infrastructure.Ericssons ultra-lightweight antenna-integrated radio AIR 3268 is smaller and lighter than the previous generation of radio and is delivering a reduction in energy consumption of up to 40 percent.EEs 5G network is the first in Europe to benefit from Ericssons smart slim and more sustainable Massive MIMO radio technology.EE part of the BT Group is deploying Ericssons latest ultra-lightweight radio technology to deliver improved 5G energy efficiency and network performance across the UK.With up to 40 percent less weight 14kg and volume 25 litres than the previous generation of radio Ericssons AIR 3268 is the lightest and smallest Massive MIMO radio in the industry and is also the most energy efficient radio of this type deployed in Europe. Field measurements in active deployment have shown a reduction of up to 40 percent in energy usage helping to deliver improved energy efficiency and contributing to wider sustainability goals.Operating within EEs 3.4GHz and upper 3.6GHz spectrum bands the new radio will initially be deployed over 1000 sites not only offering substantial energy efficiencies but also improving capacity coverage speed and mobile experience for customers. The reduced size and weight benefits of the equipment initially developed in partnership between the companies last year mean that accelerated 5G upgrades will now be possible in areas previously constrained by building regulations or planning law.EEs first deployments of the equipment are in London with sites in Manchester Leeds Edinburgh and Belfast to follow this year. The improved technology will be expanded to more urban and suburban areas in the future where Ericsson is a key partner for EE.Greg McCall Chief Networks Officer BT Group said Weve already made significant progress in making EE a more efficient network delivering vast quantities of additional data without equivalent energy increases. Our partnership with Ericsson is a further milestone in this journey enabling us not only to accelerate our 5G roll-out in city centres but to do so in a more sustainable way. Thats good for us but also incredibly important to our customers and the planet.Bjrn Odenhammar CTO Networks and Managed Services Ericsson UK and Ireland said It is incredibly exciting to see our partnership with BT Group succeed with such fantastic results. This is a great step forward for the deployment of 5G in the UK and gives a much-needed boost in both 5G coverage and mid-band performance. Together we are not only leading the delivery of next-generation connectivity across the country but also reducing energy consumption to build a more sustainable mobile network of the future.
