AT&T will tap into the Ericsson Radio System portfolio, which includes the advanced antenna system, advanced RAN coordination and carrier aggregation technologies. The two have been working together for more than 20 years.
The deployments will support future network enhancements like Cloud RAN and the news followed AT&T's recent spectrum acquisitions and plans to launch 5G SA.
Scott Mair, president of AT&T network engineering and operations, said: "As we continue to expand our nationwide 5G network, Ericsson's technology offerings and 5G expertise will assist with our network evolution. This latest agreement provides the pathway for us to deploy Ericsson's next-generation centralised RAN architecture, enabled by Fronthaul Gateway, with the ability to support future network enhancements, like the evolution to Cloud RAN."
The centralised RAN architecture us enabled by Ericsson Fronthaul Gateway, a new technology that will enable a more efficient transport of the fronthaul interface by converting it to packet (eCPRI).
Niklas Heuveldop, president and head of Ericsson North America, added: "This agreement reinforces our long-standing partnership of innovation and execution with AT&T. 5G networks will enable unprecedented, sustainable and exponential growth, accelerating the digital transformation of industries and the public sector, for the benefit of consumers, enterprises and society at large. Ericsson is excited to join forces with AT&T to help make this vision a reality."
