Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Ericsson India, Virgin Media O2’s UK mobile network, UK mobile operators, among others.
Ericsson Launches First India-Built 5G Antenna, Exports Begin in July
Ericsson has unveiled its first antenna manufactured in India, produced in collaboration with VVDN Technologies at their Manesar facility in Haryana. The antenna is set for commercial release in June, with international shipments commencing in July. This move aims to strengthen India’s position in the global telecom supply chain by localizing production to meet both domestic and international demand. The antennas are designed to support 5G networks, focusing on performance and energy efficiency. Local manufacturing reduces dependency on imports and shortens supply chains, improving delivery times and cost management. This initiative reflects the telecom industry’s shift towards local manufacturing and innovation to meet evolving network needs.
Virgin Media O2 Expands UK Mobile Network with Major Spectrum Purchase
Virgin Media O2 agreed to buy 78.8 MHz of spectrum from Vodafone UK for £343 million, subject to Ofcom approval. This raises Virgin Media O2’s total mobile spectrum shares to about 30 percent in the UK. The deal is part of a network-sharing agreement with Vodafone to balance spectrum among the UK’s three main mobile operators. The acquired spectrum includes 20 MHz of 1400 MHz Supplemental Downlink, 18.8 MHz of 2100 MHz Frequency Division Duplex, 20 MHz of 2600 MHz Time Division Duplex, and 20 MHz of 3400 MHz Time Division Duplex. These frequencies will increase Virgin Media O2’s 4G and 5G network capacity. Virgin Media O2 plans to invest over £2 billion annually to improve mobile coverage, speed, and reliability across the UK.
UK Mobile Operators Surpass Rural Coverage Targets Ahead of Schedule
UK mobile operators have exceeded their rural network coverage targets ahead of schedule through the Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative, a collaboration between the government and major operators. The SRN expanded 4G coverage from 66 percent to 81 percent of the UK. Over 50 mobile masts were upgraded to support all networks, covering an area equivalent to 66,470 football pitches, including national parks like Snowdonia and the Lake District. The government plans to upgrade 50 more sites by March 2026 to improve rural connectivity.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
