Ericsson expands 4G and 5G network equipment partnership with SoftBank Corp.

Rhea-AI Summary

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has expanded its partnership with SoftBank Corp. through a new commercial agreement for 4G and 5G network equipment. Ericsson will enhance SoftBank's networks across multiple Japanese regions including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokuriku, Tokai, and parts of Kansai.

The agreement includes the deployment of Ericsson Radio System products, featuring the energy-efficient Massive MIMO AIR 3255 that reduces energy consumption by up to 35% compared to previous models. Ericsson will also provide its latest RAN Compute basebands optimized for real-time AI execution, supporting SoftBank's focus on 5G Standalone deployment and network enhancement through AI utilization.

Positive

• Partnership expansion strengthens Ericsson's position in Japan's 5G market
• New AIR 3255 technology reduces energy consumption by 35%
• Implementation of AI-powered RAN technology for improved network efficiency
• Coverage expansion across multiple major Japanese regions

Negative

• Significant investment required for network upgrades and expansion
• Competitive pressure in Japanese telecom market requiring continuous innovation

• Ericsson to supply network equipment for SoftBank's low, mid, and high bands
• Ericsson will contribute to SoftBank's 4G and 5G networks enhancement and expand further expansion of 5G Standalone coverage

STOCKHOLM, July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has strengthened its partnership with Japan's SoftBank Corp. (SoftBank) through a new commercial agreement covering 4G and 5G network products and solutions. Ericsson has been selected as one of the radio equipment vendors to enhance SoftBank's networks. Ericsson will enhance SoftBank's networks in the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokuriku and Tokai regions, and parts of the Kansai region.

SoftBank's 4G and 5G networks will be enhanced by utilizing products and solutions from the Ericsson Radio System. Frequencies covered in the agreement include low, mid and high bands. Ericsson will assist SoftBank in expanding 5G Standalone coverage and supporting advanced automation and operational efficiency improvements with AI.

Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President and CTO at SoftBank Corp., says: "SoftBank will promote network enhancement with a focus on 5G Standalone deployment and AI utilization, delivering an outstanding user experience for both enterprise and consumer customers in Japan. We are confident that adopting Ericsson's advanced radio technology will further accelerate the enhancement of our network's quality and operational efficiency with AI."

Chafic Nassif, Head of Market Area North East Asia, Ericsson, says: "SoftBank has been at the forefront of connectivity engagement through every generation of mobility. As digitalization ramps up, Ericsson will work closely with SoftBank in our strengthened partnership to help drive its digital leadership ambitions through improved end-user experiences, AI and automation. This will also support SoftBank's role in helping Japan to achieve its wider digital economy aims as a nation."

Portfolio details

Ericsson will provide SoftBank with its latest radio access network (RAN) products, including the easy-to-install, lightweight Massive MIMO AIR 3255, which reduces energy consumption by up to 35 percent compared to previous models. The company will also deliver the energy-efficient, high-capacity, ultra-wideband AIR 6476.

Ericsson will also supply its latest generation RAN Compute (basebands), optimized for real-time AI execution. The RAN hardware and software utilizing Ericsson's AI will enhance user experience, coverage, mobility and spectrum efficiency, and reduce energy consumption.

Ericsson's RAN Compute, powered by Ericsson Silicon and the Many-Core Architecture (EMCA), enhances data storage and parallel processing capabilities. This enables real-time AI execution in the baseband, making AI deployment easier and more energy efficient.

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AI RAN and 5G network performance boost - Ericsson
Ericsson Differentiated Connectivity

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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ABOUT ERICSSON:
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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SOURCE Ericsson

FAQ

What regions will Ericsson's network equipment cover in SoftBank's network?

Ericsson will enhance SoftBank's networks in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokuriku, Tokai, and parts of the Kansai region.

How much energy savings does Ericsson's new MIMO AIR 3255 technology provide?

The Massive MIMO AIR 3255 reduces energy consumption by up to 35 percent compared to previous models.

What technologies are included in Ericsson's partnership with SoftBank?

The partnership includes 4G and 5G network products, Ericsson Radio System, Massive MIMO AIR 3255, AIR 6476, and AI-powered RAN Compute basebands.

How will AI be implemented in SoftBank's network enhancement?

AI will be implemented through Ericsson's RAN Compute basebands, optimized for real-time AI execution to enhance user experience, coverage, mobility, spectrum efficiency, and reduce energy consumption.

What frequency bands are covered in the Ericsson-SoftBank agreement?

The agreement covers low, mid, and high frequency bands for both 4G and 5G networks.