Ericsson News | TelcoTitans

Amid continuing growth challenges, Ericsson President & CEO Börje Ekholm is pinning hopes on physical AI and defence comms, and claims vendor is fully primed to exploit opportunities for a top-line revival.

Operations
O2 readies Marvel-inspired Jarvis AI platform for summer launch
DTW Ignite: Efficiency-focused German operator is hoping to bring some Marvel Universe -style innovation to its ambitious IT transformation agenda. Project sees O2 unifying governance layer in partnership with close tech allies Tech Mahindra and Hansen.
Network & Infra
VM O2 plans ‘extensive’ autonomous networks ramp-up
UK operator targets Level 4 network autonomy within a ‘couple of years’, with network planning and optimisation the key use-cases.
B2B
Vodafone, Ericsson set sights on military 5G SA use-cases after radio backhaul ‘breakthrough’
CCW 2026: Vodafone and Ericsson are advancing military-grade 5G capabilities to meet defence demands for isolated, interworking, and resilient networks that can operate beyond traditional infrastructure.
M&A
VodafoneThree networks chief: merger remedies more ‘asset’ than ‘burden’
Chief Network Officer Andrea Donà has framed strict regulatory remedies as an “engineer’s paradise” as the UK operator sets about its £7bn network integration programme.
Network & Infra
Brazil’s Vivo lands another major IoT win with agri group São Martinho
Operator bags another large-scale IoT contract to supply connectivity to Brazilian sugarcane processor. CEO Christian Gebara eyes possible AI and big data opportunities, while using deal as an example of “accelerating demand” for growing B2B digital services ecosystem.
Analyst Briefing
BTwatch: the return of budget mobile?
Analyst Briefing: reports emerge that BT is preparing a consumer reversal, re-entering the no-frills mobile space and re-energising the BT brand. Elsewhere, Business CTO Colin Bannon makes a rare plea for more regulation; and Ofcom opens a compliance investigation…
Peoplewatch
Vodafone Peoplewatch: Vi appoints AI chief to lead ‘intelligent techco’ transition
April 2026 update, including: new AI Strategy Architect gets a wide-ranging transformation brief in India; Safaricom fills two-year IT Director vacancy; senior departures in business resilience, external affairs, and the Vodacom boardroom; Vodafone IoT Americas further strengthened; and more…
Network & Infra
BT adopts NVIDIA’s telco LLM in pursuit of autonomous, intent-based networks
NVIDIA’s large telco model is playing a ‘significant’ role in BT’s journey to network autonomy, providing a data sandbox in which the Group can conduct AI R&D. Data & AI lead Séainín McCoy considers the use of synthetic data to be paramount for maximisation of RoI and mitigation of risk…
Network & Infra
Vi accelerates 5G rollout with ‘strategic densification’ model
CTO Jagbir Singh outlines a “phase and calibrated” 5G rollout approach as India’s Vi attempts to close the gap to its faster-moving rivals.
Suppliers & SCM
VM O2 retains Ericsson and Nokia as it pushes towards 5G-Advanced
European vendor duo land fresh, multi-year RAN deals at UK operator, as it continues catchup effort through Mobile Transformation Plan.
Peoplewatch
Cellnex UK promotes ops boss into CEO slot
Long-time Ericsson exec Steve Cray, who joined Cellnex in September 2025, becomes chief of UK unit. He fills gap left by Gianluca Landolina’s transfer to lead tower group’s new pan-European verticals business…
Analyst Briefing
BTwatch: slicing 5G, steering 6G
Analyst Briefing: BT gets to work on 5G network slicing with Ericsson in a bid to leverage the network for B2B customers; while ‘committing’ with Nokia, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm to help shape early 6G thinking…
Analyst Briefing
Vodafonewatch MWC roundup: satcomms centre stage; AI-RAN advancing
Analyst Briefing: Satcomms, D2D, edge compute, and AI-RAN were among the focus areas for Vodafone in Barcelona…
Network & Infra
VM O2 plans ‘mini macro’ sites to boost city bandwidth
MWC26: UK operator has engaged tower companies on buildout of new, lower-footprint site form factor as part of ongoing, £700m-per-year Mobile Transformation Plan…
Network & Infra
BT taps Ericsson for programmable networks ‘building blocks’
MWC26: networks chief Greg McCall touts expanded Ericsson engagement as laying the foundations for dynamic, programmable, application-aware networks, with network slicing and APIs for real-world use-cases.
Technology
DT throws lot in with T-Mobile on ‘open’, ‘AI-native’ 6G
MWC26: DT moves into the slipstream of its American powerhouse on AI-focused 6G development work, setting up a basis for R&D collaboration and backing the ‘open 6G’ vision of T-Mobile’s close tech partner NVIDIA.
Network & Infra
T-Mobile blends agentic AI into 5G core
The US telco has now embedded agentic AI in its 5G standalone network, with Live Translation the first service to be launched.
Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica, Nokia turn to agentic AI as means to boost telco API uptake
Duo kick off trials using AI agents to simplify access to network APIs. With early tests in fraud prevention completed, and several others lined up, Telefónica aims to open up new “monetisation models” harnessing the technology…
Suppliers & SCM
Amdocs cements role in T-Mobile’s tech team
US services player becomes latest tech group to flag involvement in major customer IT refresh at T-Mobile, following Ericsson, OpenAI, and Netcracker.
Analyst Briefing
Vodafonewatch: IT leadership rejig; RAN upgrade kick-off
Analyst Briefing: Vodafone continues its European IT management reshuffle; pushes on with German open RAN rollout; and talks network autonomy roadmaps. Meanwhile, VOIS speaks up; the future of former OpCo Vodafone Spain; and IoT goes NTN with Skylo tie-up…
Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone a “frontrunner” partner as Ericsson seeks new opportunities in “flattish” RAN market
In depth: Upbeat Ericsson management present FY25 earnings complete with organic growth and progress in efficiency programmes. CSPs said to be willing to invest despite muted RAN outlook, as Vodafone namechecked for its ‘physical AI’ groundwork…