U.S. Cellular has selected Ericsson to provide 5G equipment and services for 24, 28 and 39 GHz mm-Wave frequencies to support consumer and enterprise 5G use cases. In addition, Ericsson will provide 4G Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) equipment and services as U.S. Cellular continues its 5G modernization program.
Michael Irizarry, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of U.S. Cellular, stated that they highly value their long relationship with Ericsson to provide cutting-edge network service to the customers. Working with Ericsson to deliver and deploy these solutions helps them deliver fast, reliable connectivity for customers in urban and rural areas, as they continue to build a more powerful network with the latest 5G technology.
This new agreement marks a further expansion of Ericsson's collaboration with U.S. Cellular. In late 2019, the company selected Ericsson as a network equipment vendor for its 5G network, including 5G New Radio (NR) hardware and software in states such as Iowa and Wisconsin. And this year, Ericsson helped U.S. Cellular increase mobile broadband capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic in parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, New Hampshire, Maine and North Carolina. The move aided U.S. Cellular in successfully managing the increased demand for data from its customers.
Rob Johnson, Head of Customer Unit Regional Carriers for Ericsson, said that Ericsson has a long history of working with U.S. Cellular, and he is excited to see the relationship grow even stronger as they support U.S. Cellular on their 5G journey. By supplying 24, 28 and 39 GHz mmWave high-band and CBRS mid-band radios along with industry leading 4G and 5G products and services, Ericsson will enable U.S. Cellular's customers to take advantage of all of the speed and versatility that 5G networks have to offer.
The high band spectrum equipment Ericsson will provide will help U.S. Cellular customers experience faster speeds than ever before. This type of 5G both enhances the mobile broadband services to phones and tablets and allows for fiber-like speeds for Fixed Wireless Access, FWA, in areas with limited high-speed broadband options.
U.S. Cellular is beginning its multi-year deployment of 5G mm-Wave, with commercial availability planned for 2021.
