Telstra is partnering with Ericsson to roll out a cutting-edge, programmable 5G Advanced network.
This upgrade will integrate Ericsson’s next-generation Open RAN-ready hardware, 5G Advanced software, and AI-driven automation. These improvements will allow the network to self-diagnose and self-heal, increasing operational efficiency and delivering more consistent performance and reliability for customers.
5G Advanced: A programmable network for modern demands
Central to this transformation is a high-performance, programmable network platform. Telstra plans to use this platform to provide tailored connectivity services, encourage new application development, and respond to the increasingly specific needs of consumers and businesses.
Vicki Brady, CEO of Telstra, said: “We are at an inflection point where customer expectations for technology and connectivity are becoming more sophisticated, requiring a step change in how connectivity is delivered and consumed. At the same time, demand for mobile data on our network has tripled over the past five years.”
“Through our partnership with Ericsson — the first of its kind for any operator across Asia-Pacific — we will evolve our offering and improve the efficiency of how we use our spectrum so we can increase our 5G network capacity to deliver better consistency of performance, reliability and speed to millions of customers.”
Programmable 5G Advanced capabilities will also open new opportunities for developers and innovators across industries, enabling creation of impactful applications for both businesses and consumers.
“With a programmable network we will move from a one-size-fits-all proposition to delivering more sophisticated use cases and commercial models, providing a differentiated and more tailored connectivity experience,” Brady added.
Driving Industry 4.0 in Australia
Deploying 5G Advanced features on Ericsson’s standalone 5G solutions represents a major step toward realising Industry 4.0 in Australia. Faster, more secure, and differentiated connectivity will help businesses adopt next-generation use cases in manufacturing, healthcare, transport and other sectors.
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, commented: “High-performing programmable networks are the building blocks to digitise enterprises and nations. Telstra, a longstanding early-adopter partner of Ericsson, is set to benefit from Ericsson 5G Standalone connectivity.”
“This faster, more secure, and differentiated connectivity will transform consumer and enterprise experiences and enable developers to use 5G technologies to experiment, innovate, and build game-changing applications.”
“Through this collaboration, Telstra is also empowering Australians — from independent developers to the nation’s largest industries — to ensure Australia remains competitive on the global stage. We look forward to working closely with Telstra to make that happen.”
The upgraded network is expected to optimise spectrum use and resource deployment, delivering benefits that include:
- Doubling 5G capacity: Enhanced capacity will improve performance and service consistency.
- Expanded coverage: Broader reach with improved uplink and downlink speeds.
- Energy efficiency: Reduced energy consumption to support Telstra’s sustainability commitments.
- Differentiated connectivity: Consumers and enterprises will be able to personalise services rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Telstra also plans to redesign commercial offerings with performance-based services tailored to specific applications and industries. Network programmability will give customers more control over their connectivity needs and enable new commercial models.
Ericsson technology underpins the programmable 5G Advanced network
The upgrade will be supported by Ericsson’s latest 5G technologies, including Open RAN-ready Massive MIMO radios, RAN Compute solutions, and the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP).
EIAP stands out for enabling advanced automation using machine learning and AI for self-optimising networks. The platform also allows developers to build and deploy custom applications, often called ‘rApps,’ to maximise network performance, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainable operations.
Telstra’s programmable 5G Advanced infrastructure will also support Aduna, a global venture co-founded by Telstra and Ericsson that aims to accelerate telecom monetisation by unlocking the potential of network APIs.
Aduna, which includes partners such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, BT and Verizon, intends to create a global platform that aggregates APIs to stimulate new use cases across industries from healthcare to gaming.
The initiative was announced in September 2024, with the name “Aduna” made public in January 2025. Its founders say the platform will give millions of developers access to advanced network features and help build an innovation-first telecom ecosystem.
By adopting 5G Advanced capabilities, Telstra will be better equipped to meet growing customer demands, handle rising data traffic, and deliver measurable improvements in performance, reliability, and sustainability. The shift to programmable networks promises to unlock new possibilities across the Asia-Pacific telecom sector.
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