Ericsson and Telstra are pioneering the first programmable network in Asia-Pacific through a four-year deployment, positioning Telstra among global frontrunners.

The upgraded network will enhance connectivity for both consumer and enterprise customers while unlocking new monetization opportunities. With 5G Advanced capabilities, AI-driven automation, and Open RAN-ready hardware, Telstra’s network will be among the most advanced, resilient, and reliable globally. The transformation will enable innovative application development and performance-based offerings, while network APIs will open new collaboration opportunities for tech innovators.
The initiative aligns with Aduna, a network API venture co-founded by Telstra and Ericsson, aiming to accelerate telecom monetization and digital services innovation. The adoption of 5G Standalone solutions will also drive Industry 4.0 advancements in Australia.
Telstra CEO Vicki Brady emphasizes the need for a step-change in connectivity as mobile data demand triples, while Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm highlights the role of high-performing programmable networks in national digitalization.
The network transformation will maximize Telstra’s spectrum investments, doubling 5G capacity, improving service consistency, expanding coverage, increasing speeds, and reducing energy consumption.
It will also shift from a one-size-fits-all model to tailored connectivity experiences. Ericsson’s Open RAN-ready Massive MIMO radios, new RAN Compute solutions, and Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) will drive automation, operational efficiency, and performance improvements.
Telstra and Ericsson’s partnership builds on years of collaboration across radio access networks, core, optical, and transport systems. Their involvement in Aduna, alongside major global telecom players, will advance API-driven innovation by opening networks for developers worldwide, fostering new use cases across industries.
TelecomLead.com News Desk