Nex-Tech Wireless selects Ericsson in four-year deal to modernize rural Kansas network and launch 5G Standalone
Ericsson will modernize most of Nex-Tech Wireless’s Kansas network to enable cloud-native 5G Standalone and new hosting capabilities.
Rhea-AI Summary
Ericsson (ERIC) signed a four-year network modernization agreement with Nex-Tech Wireless to upgrade about 85 percent of Nex-Tech’s rural Kansas RAN footprint and support a 5G Standalone (SA) launch.
The project uses Ericsson Radio System products, including the AI-capable RAN Processor 6655 and latest 4G/5G SA RAN software, to boost throughput, lower latency and improve FDD/TDD coverage. On the core side, the deal expands Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core on its Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution and adds roaming capabilities and the Ericsson Telco DataOps Platform to support accurate billing and revenue management. The companies position the agreement as a scalable, “future-proof” architecture enabling new hosting capabilities for other mobile operators and supporting subscriber growth and monetization opportunities in rural markets.
Positive
- Four-year modernization contract to upgrade about 85% of Nex-Tech Wireless’s RAN footprint
- Expanded 5G Core deployment using Ericsson’s cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core and CNIS
- New hosting capabilities for other mobile operators enabled on Nex-Tech’s modernized network
- Introduction of Ericsson Telco DataOps Platform to support billing and revenue management for 5G
Negative
- None.
News Explained
Ericsson and Nex-Tech Wireless have announced a four-year modernization agreement; this release establishes the deal at the announcement stage, with no completed network rollout stated, so the disclosed change is a planned upgrade rather than a reported completion.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Building on the success of the previous agreement between the companies, the new agreement extends the existing collaboration and further strengthens Nex-Tech Wireless' regional carrier competitive strategy. This RAN and Core modernization is critical to enhancing network performance, ensuring long-term reliability, and supporting continued subscriber growth in rural
Under the new agreement, Nex-Tech Wireless will upgrade its network using Ericsson Radio System products and solutions, including the AI-capable RAN Processor 6655 and the latest 4G and 5G SA RAN software features, enabling higher throughput, lower latency, and seamless FDD/TDD coverage. This update improves coverage, capacity, and spectral efficiency, creating a scalable telecom network growth platform that can evolve in line with customer demand and new 5G use cases.
On the core side, the agreement expands the existing implementation of Ericsson's dual-mode 5G Core solution, running on Ericsson's Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS) to include 5G Core and roaming capabilities, supporting the rollout of 5G Standalone (SA). The agreement also introduces Ericsson's Telco DataOps Platform (ETDP), enabling 5G deployments while ensuring accurate billing and revenue management across the core network. The expansion will deliver a future-proof wireless network architecture that supports 5G Standalone deployment for rural wireless carriers.
"Nex-Tech Wireless is bringing the benefits of advanced 5G Standalone to rural
"This agreement underscores Ericsson's commitment to regional carriers that are driving innovation in rural markets," said Per Wahlen, Senior Vice President and Head of Customer Unit US Hyperscalers & Regional Accounts, Ericsson Americas. "We are helping Nex-Tech Wireless execute its rural telecom network modernization strategy end-to-end, support subscriber growth, and unlock new revenue streams with hosting capabilities and differentiated 5G connectivity."
This agreement addresses Nex-Tech Wireless' long-term technology and business requirements while ensuring the network remains modern, scalable, and positioned to support future monetization opportunities across the 5G ecosystem.
RELATED LINKS:
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Ericsson Telco DataOps Platform
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ABOUT NEX-TECH WIRELESS:
Nex-Tech Wireless, a subsidiary of Nex-Tech Inc./Rural Telephone, Golden Belt Telephone and Tri-County Telephone, is a premiere wireless provider offering wireless solutions to residents in over 40 counties of central and western Kansas. Nex-Tech Wireless' mission is to provide an unrivaled customer experience by bringing trusted technology and superior service to their hometowns. To learn more about Nex-Tech Wireless, please visit www.ntwls.com or call 1-800-621-2600.
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SOURCE Ericsson
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What specific Ericsson RAN technologies will Nex-Tech Wireless deploy under this agreement?
Nex-Tech Wireless will use Ericsson Radio System products and solutions, including the AI-capable RAN Processor 6655 and the latest 4G and 5G Standalone RAN software features. These are intended to improve coverage, capacity, spectral efficiency, throughput and latency while supporting seamless FDD/TDD coverage.
How does the agreement address the 5G core network and roaming for Nex-Tech Wireless?
The agreement expands the existing implementation of Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core running on Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS) to include additional 5G Core and roaming capabilities. This supports rollout of 5G Standalone and, together with the Ericsson Telco DataOps Platform, is designed to ensure accurate billing and revenue management across the core network.
What geographic area will benefit from the Nex-Tech Wireless and Ericsson 5G SA modernization?
The modernization targets Nex-Tech Wireless’s RAN footprint across rural Kansas. Nex-Tech Wireless provides wireless solutions to residents in over 40 counties of central and western Kansas, so communities in these areas are expected to benefit from the upgraded 4G and 5G Standalone services.