T-Mobile Taps Ericsson for LTE Upgrades

T-Mobile is expanding its relationship with Ericsson once again, using the vendor to update its 4G network with LTE-Advanced features and more.

The carrier announced Tuesday that Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) will provide the equipment and services for LTE-Advanced enhancements to T-Mobile US Inc. 's LTE network, as well as support for voice-over-LTE and in-building coverage.

The pair have been working together since 2012, when T-Mobile announced its network transformation project. The carrier also stopped using Amdocs Ltd. (NYSE: DOX) business support system (BSS) in favor of Ericsson earlier this year. Today's announcement builds on both of those roles. (See T-Mobile Picks NSN, Ericsson for LTE and T-Mobile Swaps Out Amdocs BSS for Ericsson.)

For more on T-Mobile's network upgrades, peruse Light Reading's dedicated mobile page.

Ericsson says it will provide its RBS 6000 base stations and installation and integration of 700MHz, 1900MHz and 1700/2011MHz LTE-Advanced radio sites and tuning services. New LTE-Advanced features include carrier aggregation, MIMO antenna technology for better coverage and throughput, and small cell integration for capacity.

Ericsson also revealed that it's powering T-Mobile's VoLTE-to-cellular handoff via enhanced Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (eSRVCC), and it has tweaked its evolved Packet Data Gateway (ePDG) to work for its newly announced WiFi calling. (See T-Mobile Beats AT&T, Verizon to VoLTE and T-Mobile Turns Up VoLTE-to-WiFi Handoff.)

Finally, Ericsson, which was once responsible for upgrading MetroPCS's LTE network, says it will decommission and recycle unused MetroPCS sites now that T-Mobile owns the smaller carrier. (See MetroPCS Taps Ericsson for 4G LTE Upgrade.)

— Sarah Reedy, Senior Editor, Light Reading