Ericsson partners with MasOrange for ORAN technologies

Ericsson has signed a 5G deal with Spain’s largest telecom operator, MasOrange, to enhance its network using Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) technologies. This marks Ericsson’s first such agreement in Europe following a significant $14 billion, five-year deal with AT&T in the United States last year. ORAN technology is designed to reduce costs by employing cloud-based software and equipment from multiple suppliers rather than relying on a single provider.

Jenny Lindqvist, Ericsson’s senior vice president, noted that this partnership aligns with industry trends and is crucial for scaling Open RAN technology. She emphasised that Europe is still in the early stages of 5G deployment compared to other regions. MasOrange, formed from the merger of the Spanish unit of France’s Orange and local competitor MasMovil, serves over 30 million mobile customers.

While Ericsson did not disclose the specifics of the deal with MasOrange, a source indicated it would involve around 10,000 sites. The agreement aims to meet the growing demand for 5G services across urban and rural areas, as well as large venues like stadiums.