By: Pipeline Magazine

Network & 5G

The Network & 5G category featured intense activity in radio access modernization, fiber expansion, transport upgrades, and specialized connectivity. In the United Kingdom, Nokia secured a major multi-year 5G RAN deployment and modernization program with Virgin Media O2. The deal centers on Nokia’s latest AirScale portfolio, including Massive MIMO radios, future-proof baseband, and energy-efficient platforms. This initiative will accelerate VMO2’s Mobile Transformation Plan with expected gains in capacity, coverage, spectral efficiency, and customer speeds, while expanding joint innovation in automation, AI intelligence, and 5G-Advanced. 

At the same time, Ericsson announced it will power the majority of Virgin Media O2’s UK radio network through a five-year partnership extension worth several hundred million Euros. Ericsson will deploy advanced multiband Massive MIMO radios, AI/ML optimization software, and capabilities supporting network slicing, Cloud RAN, and 5G Standalone evolution. Both partnerships underscore the competitive yet collaborative nature of RAN modernization as operators address doubling mobile traffic and new spectrum assets. 

In India, Vodafone Idea is modernizing its transport network with Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme coherent optics on the 6500 platform to better support bandwidth growth and enterprise/hyperscaler opportunities. Adtran extended 400G capabilities to the edge with new Terabit-class routers that deliver cost-effective scaling without increasing space, power, or operational complexity. Wilson Connectivity partnered with Autonomous Systems to offer full network lifecycle management and automated in-building wireless solutions. 

Fiber broadband continued its geographic expansion. Empire Fiber Internet entered Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, targeting over 35,000 homes and businesses with ultra-fast connectivity. Ezee Fiber connected its first customers in Novi, Michigan, advancing multi-gigabit symmetrical services in the state. Archtop Fiber launched 5 Gig and 8 Gig residential plans with eero devices as the new standard and began construction in East Greenbush, New York. TELUS made PureFibre services available in Calgary-Bonavista as part of its ongoing Canadian rollout. 

Rural and mission-critical connectivity also advanced. VTel Wireless selected Ericsson for a 5G Standalone core and RAN deployment to improve rural wireless services in the United States. ZTE enabled large-scale commercial 10G PON deployment for MiFibra in Peru. Nokia was chosen by SkyFiber to serve underserved households in Northern Nevada. ProRail in the Netherlands deployed Adtran’s ALM fiber monitoring solution to protect critical rail ICT systems. Adtran and GLDS expanded their partnership for billing-driven, zero-touch subscriber lifecycle automation. 

Additional highlights include AT&T and FirstNet supporting NASA’s Artemis II Moon mission communications, Bittium and Telia implementing a hybrid 5G network for Finnish Defence Forces resilient communications, RINA Wireless selecting Mavenir for voice core modernization (IMS, VoLTE, VoWiFi, and voicemail), MTN Nigeria and Huawei deploying the world’s first commercial sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO site with major capacity and performance improvements, Deutsche Telekom expanding 5G+ for low-latency video calling, and TELUS and AST SpaceMobile signing a commercial agreement for space-based cellular broadband across Canada with TELUS taking equity and investing in ground infrastructure. 

VIAVI partnered with Ground Control for assured positioning, Proptivity activated Ericsson’s Host Management Control for shared indoor radio, T-Mobile supported connectivity during wildfires in Georgia and Florida while launching SuperBroadband combining 5G Advanced and Starlink for businesses, Ericsson and Swisscom launched an intelligent Energy & Enclosure platform, ISCO and Abside Networks advanced interference management for 5G/Open RAN, HPE powered Red Sea Global resorts with AI-native networking, and the Fiber Broadband Association released best practices guidance on design and permitting. Adtran’s SDG router portfolio also received FCC conditional approval through 2027. 

These announcements illustrate operators balancing immediate performance needs with long-term scalability, energy efficiency, and new revenue opportunities through slicing and enterprise services.