AT&T, Ericsson team on commercial scale open radio access network deployment

AT&T (T) announced plans to lead the United States in commercial scale open radio access network deployment. This move, in collaboration with Ericsson(ERIC), will further the telecommunications industry efforts and build an ecosystem of network infrastructure providers and suppliers. AT&T’s spend could approach roughly $14B over the five-year term of the contract with Ericsson. AT&T’s Open RAN plan is for 70% of its wireless network traffic to flow across open-capable platforms by late 2026. The company expects to have fully integrated open RAN sites operating in coordination with Ericsson and Fujitsu, starting in 2024. Beginning in 2025, the company will scale this Open RAN environment throughout its wireless network in coordination with multiple suppliers such as Corning Incorporated, Dell Technologies, Ericsson, Fujitsu and Intel. AT&T’s and Ericsson’s multiyear joint commitment to Open RAN deployment comes at a pivotal moment in the 5G innovation cycle. This move to an open, agile, programmable wireless network positions AT&T to quickly capitalize on the next generation of wireless technology and spectrum when it becomes available.