MegaFon, a mobile operator in Russia, has selected Ericsson to develop a new transport network.
Ericsson, as part of the three-year deal, will supply mobile transport solutions based on the MINI-LINK platform. MegaFon will benefit from high capacity, efficient use of spectrum, low-energy consumption and simplified operations and maintenance.

Ericsson’s Microwave Outlook Report 2018 says 40 percent of global backhaul connections are expected to be based on microwave by 2023.

“The transport network is one of the key elements that determine the level of service for our customers, where we constantly test and pilot innovative technologies, together with partners like Ericsson,” Frederic Vanoosthuyze, chief technology and IT Officer (CTIO) at MegaFon, said.

Ericsson has invested in its microwave technology, adding 5G-ready microwave products to its MINI-LINK portfolio.

Features of the MINI-LINK 6000 portfolio for 6-38 GHz include a high density of radio interfaces, higher capacities, and longer hops or small antennas.

MINI-LINK 6000 supports modulations up to 16k QAM, large buffer sizes (up to 720 MB) and up to 112 MHz channels. MINI-LINK 6000 is used together with MINI-LINK 6363, the world’s smallest high-power radio, available in bands from 6 to 80 GHz.

Features of MINI-LINK 6352 for E-Band or 70 / 80 GHz include 10 Gbps capacity in a single carrier as well as multiple 10 GE interfaces.

Microwave Transmission market declined 4 percent year-over-year in the first half of 2019 — due to reduced demand in India.

Huawei, Ericsson and Nokia are the top three manufacturers in terms of revenue from microwave transmission business in Q2 2019.

Dell’Oro Group said $17 billion of microwave transmission equipment will be needed over the next five years. Packet microwave is projected to grow at 10 percent CAGR during this period.