MegaFon gets ready for 5G with new microwave transport solution

• Ericsson to deliver and deploy 6-38 GHz Microwave and Microwave E-band equipment for MegaFon’s transport network across Russia
• Microwave-based transport offers low-cost, reliable and secure operations across multiple generations of mobile technology, including 5G
• MINI-LINK is Ericsson’s market-leading portfolio of microwave solutions for cost-efficient mobile transport networks

MegaFon, one of Russia’s largest operators, has chosen Ericsson to develop a new nationwide transport network. As part of the 3-year contract, Ericsson will supply mobile transport solutions based on the MINI-LINK platform offering key advantages such as high capacity, efficient use of spectrum, low-energy consumption and simplified operations and maintenance.

With recent technological advances in microwave system software and new radio hardware, microwave transport capacity has moved from megabit-per-second capacity to gigabit-per-second capacity. According to Ericsson’s Microwave Outlook Report 2018, 40 percent of global backhaul connections are expected to be based on microwave by 2023.

Frederic Vanoosthuyze, Chief Technology and IT Officer (CTIO) at MegaFon, says: “MegaFon pays great attention to the implementation of the most promising technical solutions and the readiness of all elements of the company's infrastructure to launch a new standard of mobile communication, setting the direction of development in the industry. The transport network is one of the key elements that determine the level of service for our customers, where we constantly test and pilot innovative technologies, together with partners like Ericsson.”

Sebastian Tolstoy, Head of Ericsson in Russia, says: “This deal means that MegaFon is building the infrastructure for its future 5G network. In close partnership with Ericsson, MegaFon will develop and deploy its breakthrough network with a new level of capacity, speed, and quality – allowing it to create and offer completely new services to customers and businesses.”

Ericsson has invested continuously in its microwave technology, adding 5G-ready microwave products to its market-leading MINI-LINK portfolio. Key features of the MINI-LINK 6000 portfolio for 6-38 GHz include a high density of radio interfaces (up to 15 radio directions in 3RU), superior system gain enabling higher capacities, and longer hops or small antennas. MINI-LINK 6000 also supports modulations up to 16k QAM, large buffer sizes (up to 720 MB) and up to 112 MHz channels. MINI-LINK 6000 is used together with MINI-LINK 6363, the world’s smallest high-power radio, available in bands from 6 to 80 GHz.

Noteworthy features of MINI-LINK 6352 for E-Band (70/80 GHz) include 10 Gbps capacity in a single carrier as well as multiple 10 GE interfaces.

Source: Ericsson media announcement