• Telstra’s 5G‑Advanced upgrade adds automated aggregation to over 50 sites, increasing spectrum combinations and improving user experience.
• Ericsson’s deployment supports Telstra’s goal of fully automated network management under its Connected Future 30 strategy.
What happened: Ericsson enables live automated aggregation for Telstra
Ericsson has switched on its Automated Carrier Aggregation (ACA) solution on more than 50 of Telstra’s 5G‑Advanced commercial sites in North Sydney, making Telstra the first operator worldwide to use automated aggregation on a live public network. The ACA system dynamically selects the best carrier combinations in real time, adapting to network conditions without manual configuration.
Early results from the rollout show a 20 % increase in carrier aggregation combinations and higher peak download speeds across the upgraded areas. The deployment builds on Telstra and Ericsson’s long-term collaboration, which has included 3G, 4G and 5G network modernisation, and aligns with Telstra’s Connected Future 30 plan to integrate deeper automation into its infrastructure.
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Why it’s important
The launch of 5G‑Advanced automated aggregation on a commercial network is a milestone for telecom automation. Automating carrier aggregation allows operators to maximise spectrum use and maintain stable performance in rapidly changing radio environments.
For users, the upgrade means faster downloads, more consistent connections and smoother streaming, particularly in dense urban areas. For Telstra, ACA reduces manual tuning, lowers operational complexity and supports the shift towards autonomous networks outlined in its Connected Future 30 strategy.
On an industry level, Telstra’s deployment sets a precedent for other operators moving into 5G‑Advanced. As data demand grows and spectrum efficiency becomes critical, automated aggregation is likely to become a baseline capability for advanced mobile networks. Ericsson’s successful delivery of this feature at commercial scale highlights the growing role of AI-driven software in modern network management and signals the next phase of telecom automation.
