Ericsson powers 5G mid-band deployment with 12kg radio to Massive MIMO portfolio

Ericsson will power 5G mid-band deployment in crowded urban and suburban regions easier and more efficiently with a 12kg radio to Massive MIMO portfolio and marking the newest addition to the Massive MIMO portfolio – the ultra-lightweight antenna-integrated radio AIR 3268.

The AIR 3268 is the industry’s lightest and smallest Massive MIMO radio at 12 kilogram (26lb) and 23 liters. The radio weighs around 40% less than the previous version, thanks to its 200W output power, 32 transceivers, and passive cooling, making it easier to mount on towers, rooftops, poles, and walls.

For communications service providers looking to increase capacity, coverage, speeds, and mobile experiences for their users, the radio will help to accelerate 5G mid-band implementation.

Ericsson’s latest radio is 10% more energy efficient than the previous generation, reducing overall extra power consumption when implementing 5G on the mid-band. Ericsson’s innovative Massive MIMO architecture and Uplink Booster technologies, which enable superior network performance, are also supported.

In collaboration with BT, Ericsson developed AIR 3268 to address 5G difficulties. The ultra-lightweight radio was built for 5G mid-band Massive MIMO performance during the development phase, resulting in deployment ease and better energy efficiency.

Greg McCall, Managing Director of Service Platforms, BT Group, says: “The 3.5 GHz band and Massive MIMO technology are important to our 5G network strategy to deliver the best customer experience in urban areas. We continue to add capacity within our market-leading 5G coverage, but to maximize our ability to deploy this technology, we need to minimize the burden on our site infrastructure.”

He adds: BT is pleased to be working with Ericsson on this product, which is less than half the size and weight of our current solution, reducing wind loading on existing sites and providing potential for adding 3.5 GHz Massive MIMO in new locations. The reduced power consumption will help BT deliver on our sustainability ambition.”

David Hammarwall, Head of Product Line Radio, Ericsson, says: “We continue to revolutionize Massive MIMO with ultra-lightweight radios that allow easier site upgrades and more seamless 5G mid-band deployments. AIR 3268 widens the options for the radio site, allowing service providers to boost their networks and deliver faster 5G speeds and response times. It is also energy-efficient, which is important to us and our customers.”

Because of its size and weight, the AIR 3268 will make improvements and new site acquisitions easier, even in regions where space is limited. The new radio also works with Ericsson’s tiny bracket, which reduces overall weight and simplifies installation.

The AIR 3268 is the latest addition to the AIR family of ultra-lightweight radios, which was debuted in February of this year. It is built with Ericsson Silicon, just like the rest of the company’s Massive MIMO radios, and features real-time channel estimation and ultra-precise beamforming to increase coverage and user experience.

Ericsson’s entire transport and site solutions portfolio also includes optimal site solutions with integrated transportation for crowded metropolitan areas.