e& taps Ericsson for 5G radio upgrade

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Vendors; 01 July 2025; 6656 views

Ericsson has signed a three-year deal with e& UAE to upgrade the operator’s 5G network, marking the first commercial deployment of the vendor’s RedCap solution in the Middle East and Africa.

In a statement, Ericsson said it would supply RAN equipment to extend e&’s coverage and support the launch of 5G Advanced. The operator will also work to modernise its network to improve energy efficiency.

e& is preparing its network for advanced 5G use cases such as AI-driven RAN automation and advanced RAN slicing.

The agreement will accelerate the commercial rollout of Ericsson’s 5G Advanced features in the region, including RedCap and Critical Internet of Things.

Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer at e& UAE, said: “Our agreement with Ericsson reflects a shared vision for digital transformation and reinforces our commitment to maintaining a cutting-edge 5G network that delivers premium services to both consumers and enterprises. By leveraging Ericsson’s latest technology, we are ensuring that our network remains future-ready, supports innovative 5G Advanced services, and aligns with our Net Zero pledge through improved energy efficiency.”

Petra Schirren, President of Ericsson Gulf at Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, added: “Our partnership with e& reflects our shared focus on delivering 5G capabilities across the region. This agreement will support e& UAE in expanding and modernising its radio access network with the latest Ericsson Radio System products and solutions. By enabling increased capacity, improved energy efficiency, and introducing Ericsson 5G Advanced, we are reinforcing their ability to deliver high-performance connectivity and meet evolving customer demands.”