- Ericsson rolls out automated carrier aggregation on Telstra’s live 5G network in Australia.
- The move boosts speed, capacity and marks a new phase in network automation.
What happened: Ericsson powers Telstra’s live 5G upgrade
Ericsson has rolled out its automated carrier aggregation solution on Telstra’s commercial network in Australia, marking a significant step in the operator’s ongoing 5G strategy. The deployment brings together multiple spectrum bands in real time, allowing Telstra to optimise network capacity and deliver faster, more stable mobile connections to customers. This marks the first time Telstra has enabled automated aggregation on its live network, signalling its ambition to accelerate 5G performance nationwide.
According to both companies, the solution was installed and activated without major service disruption, demonstrating Ericsson’s ability to deliver complex upgrades seamlessly. This deployment also builds on the longstanding collaboration between Ericsson and Telstra, which has seen the pair trial advanced 5G technologies across urban and regional areas for several years.
Also Read: Ericsson returns to profit as licensing savings lift margins
Also Read: Ericsson unveils first export-ready antennas made in India
Why it’s important
This move underscores how rapidly 5G infrastructure is evolving and why automation is at the centre of the next wave of network innovation. Automated carrier aggregation allows operators like Telstra to squeeze every drop of efficiency out of their spectrum, dynamically balancing traffic and boosting capacity without manual intervention. For consumers, that translates into smoother video streaming, faster downloads and more consistent connectivity – critical as data-hungry apps, AR tools and IoT devices become mainstream.
Industry-wide, the rollout hints at a shift in how networks are managed. Manual optimisation has been the norm for decades, but growing complexity means operators cannot scale without automation. Ericsson’s deployment sets a precedent that other telcos may soon follow, particularly as spectrum auctions tighten and regulators demand better utilisation of scarce resources. For investors and tech-watchers, it is another sign that the 5G race is now less about raw speed and more about smart engineering – and that networks in markets like Australia are becoming testbeds for innovations that will influence global standards.
