Ericsson and Vodafone Expand 5G Network Partnership

Ericsson and Vodafone have announced a five year strategic partnership aimed at modernising Vodafone’s network footprint, with the company set to use Ericsson’s programmable network solutions across multiple key markets. 

The news follows VodafoneThree’s signing of a US$12.5bn eight-year partnership with Ericsson, announced in September, to power a significant amount of its next-gen mobile network. Going forward, Ericsson will act as Vodafone’s only RAN vendor in Netherlands, Portugal and Ireland, and a significant vendor in Romania, Egypt and Germany. 

Vodafone’s RAN infrastructure and management has seen an upgrade as part of the partnership. It ultimately supports the widespread dissemination of 5G Standalone, allowing Vodafone to offer a variation of connectivity solutions which create guaranteed features that are focused on speed, reliability and efficiency, all while designed to meet the needs of both consumers and business customers.

The partnership will also see Vodafone utilise and roll out Ericsson’s advanced and Open RAN-compatible Massive MIMO radios and RAN Compute solutions along with 5G Advanced RAN software capabilities broadly running across their networks.

Ericsson and Vodafone’s deal will span across the majority of Europe and will introduce Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation Platform and a number of AI-powered rApps. Being delivered market-by-market, the platform will offer automated RAN optimisation, energy efficiency and management of multi-vendor networks.

Ericsson and Vodafone: Partnership launching in Europe

Looking towards Q4 2025, the first country to deliver the platform and rApps for Ericsson and multi-vendor RAN management will be Germany. The AI and network evolution partnership will support its network to run smarter and better, building systems that can work and repair themselves with the hopes to ensure its internet remains fast, reliable and prepared for the demands of the future.

Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone Group, says: "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."

Partnership moving forward 

Vodafone will employ Ericsson’s 5G Advanced RAN software solutions to improve its network infrastructure. The system uses AI and automation to enable intelligent, immediate network management, improved operation and energy efficiency, deploy advanced device and network performance and create space for new opportunities that see revenue streams in different connectivity services.

Patrick Johansson, Ericsson Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area Europe, Middle East and Africa, says: "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 monetization and driving the next wave of telecommunications innovation."

Together in partnership, the high-performing programmable network architectures create super-fast and flexible internet roads which can change and grow, all while improving innovation and development of new use cases across Vodafone’s markets. By doing so, Vodafone hopes to have the strongest internet that is ready for the future, making them a leader in the global telecommunications landscape and keeping their key strength of connecting people at heart.