VodafoneThree and Ericsson sign SEK 12.5 billion 5G Core network upgrade deal

Type: Supply Agreement · Technology: Telecom · Country: United Kingdom · Value: $12.5B · Announced: 2026-09-18

VodafoneThree and Ericsson have gone live with an upgraded cloud-native 5G Core network in the UK as part of a SEK 12.5 billion ($1.3 billion) project. The dual-mode core, deployed on Ericsson's Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS), is designed to deliver a capacity of 9Tbps and serve as a foundation for network slicing services. This deal follows the successful integration of VodafoneThree's radio networks earlier in 2026 and is part of the carrier's broader £11 billion network investment.

Analysis

VodafoneThree and Ericsson have signed a SEK 12.5 billion ($1.3 billion) supply agreement to deploy a cloud‑native 5G Core network in the United Kingdom with a design capacity of 9 Tbps. VodafoneThree, the UK operator formed from the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK, is investing £11 billion in 5G and digital infrastructure across the UK. Ericsson, a multinational networking and telecommunications company, provides the Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS) used for the dual‑mode core. The upgraded core went live in September 2026 following the integration of VodafoneThree’s radio networks earlier in 2026.

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