Catenaa, Friday, October 17, 2025- Vodafone has signed a sweeping multi-country agreement with Ericsson to modernize its European network infrastructure, positioning the Swedish telecom giant as its lead supplier across several key markets.
Under the deal, Ericsson will become Vodafone’s exclusive radio access network (RAN) vendor in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Portugal, while maintaining major vendor status in Germany, Romania, and Egypt.
The agreement will see the deployment of Ericsson’s Open RAN-compatible Massive MIMO radios, RAN compute systems, and 5G Advanced software.
Vodafone will also implement Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation Platform, enabling automated optimization, energy efficiency, and management across multi-vendor environments.
The rollout begins in Germany in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a significant leap in Vodafone’s strategy to embed AI and automation in its next-generation networks.
Vodafone’s Chief Networks Officer Alberto Ripepi said the modernization drive will enhance performance and support new 5G Advanced capabilities.
He noted that the move also sets the stage for leveraging network APIs through Vodafone’s Aduna joint venture, enabling developers to build new digital services on top of its network.
For Ericsson, the deal cements its leadership role in Europe’s 5G ecosystem, following a recent eight-year contract with Vodafone Three in the UK.
The agreement delivers a setback to rivals Nokia and Samsung, both of which have struggled to maintain their earlier momentum in the region’s Open RAN and core network markets.
Vodafone appoints Ericsson as exclusive RAN vendor in several European markets under a new 5G modernization deal, expanding automation and AI integration across its network.
