Ericsson and SoftBank Partner to Upgrade 4G/5G Networks with Full-Band Radio Solutions

Ericsson and SoftBank Partner to Upgrade 4G/5G Networks with Full-Band Radio Solutions

(IN BRIEF) Ericsson has signed a new agreement with SoftBank to deliver comprehensive 4G and 5G radio equipment spanning low, mid and high frequency bands. The partnership focuses on reinforcing network performance across six Japanese regions and extending 5G Standalone coverage. Ericsson will provide energy-efficient Massive MIMO AIR 3255 units and high-capacity AIR 6476 antennas, alongside its RAN Compute basebands optimized for on-board AI processing. These upgrades aim to enhance user experience, network mobility, coverage and spectrum efficiency while lowering power consumption. Both companies emphasize AI-driven automation as central to improving network quality and operational efficiency, aligning with SoftBank’s ambition to lead in digital services and support Japan’s wider digital economy ambitions.

(PRESS RELEASE) STOCKHOLM, 31-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has deepened its collaboration with SoftBank Corp. through a fresh commercial agreement to upgrade and expand SoftBank’s 4G and 5G infrastructures. Under this deal, Ericsson will supply its full spectrum of radio access equipment—covering low, mid and high bands—to reinforce coverage in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokuriku, Tokai and select areas of Kansai.

By integrating advanced components from the Ericsson Radio System, SoftBank will not only extend its 5G Standalone footprint but also harness AI-driven automation to boost operational efficiency. Key hardware deliveries include the compact, energy-saving Massive MIMO AIR 3255—offering up to 35% lower power consumption than its predecessor—and the ultra-wideband, high-capacity AIR 6476. In parallel, Ericsson’s next-generation RAN Compute basebands, built on Ericsson Silicon with a Many-Core Architecture (EMCA), will enable real-time AI processing at the baseband level to optimize user experience, mobility, coverage and spectral efficiency while reducing energy use.

Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President and CTO at SoftBank Corp., commented, “Our network strategy prioritizes 5G Standalone deployment and AI integration to elevate the experience for both enterprise and consumer users across Japan. Ericsson’s cutting-edge radio technologies are pivotal to accelerating our network quality enhancements and AI-driven efficiencies.”

Chafic Nassif, Head of Market Area North East Asia at Ericsson, added, “SoftBank’s leadership across successive mobile generations is remarkable. As digital transformation accelerates, our strengthened partnership will empower SoftBank to deliver superior end-user experiences, pioneering AI and automation solutions, and contribute to Japan’s broader digital economy goals.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:
SoftBank, the SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries. Other company names and product and service names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.

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Ericsson’s high-performing networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com

ABOUT SOFTBANK CORP.
Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) operates telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally. Building on its strong business foundation, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy while further growing its telecom business by harnessing the power of 5G/6G, IoT, Digital Twin and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications. While constructing AI data centers and developing homegrown LLMs specialized for the Japanese language with 1 trillion parameters, SoftBank is integrating AI with radio access networks (AI-RAN) with the aim of becoming a provider of next-generation social infrastructure. To learn more, please visit https://www.softbank.jp/en/

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