VodafoneThree First in World with Ericsson AIR 3266 Radio in London

VodafoneThree has become the first operator in the world to deploy Ericsson's AIR 3266 Massive MIMO radio, installing the unit in its London network as part of a SEK 12.5 billion partnership aimed at upgrading and expanding its 5G Standalone (SA) network.

The contract, struck with Ericsson, covers far more than a single radio type. It includes new Radio Access Network (RAN) technology across more than 10,000 sites, alongside nationwide upgrades to VodafoneThree's core network. The London deployment marks the first commercial appearance of the newest hardware in that programme.

What does the new radio actually do?

The AIR 3266 supports up to 400 MHz of bandwidth, which lets VodafoneThree make fuller use of its mid-band spectrum. Ericsson designed the unit to raise network capacity and improve 5G coverage as mobile data demand keeps climbing.

The radio also arrives in a slimmer, lighter housing than earlier generations. That matters operationally: a lighter unit reduces wind load on towers and masts, and it simplifies installation for engineering crews.

There is a software dimension too. The technology introduces AI capabilities that let models manage radio functions in real time, adjusting to shifting traffic levels to hold performance steady.

Where do the AI claims stand?

One planned application is Ericsson's AI-native Scheduler for Link Adaptation. Initial tests, according to the vendor and operator, showed up to 20% higher downlink throughput in congested conditions. That figure comes from early testing rather than a commercial network in full operation, and VodafoneThree intends to run its own trial before the end of its financial year.

If testing succeeds, a nationwide rollout of the scheduler is planned for 2027. Until those results land, the throughput gain remains a vendor-backed test figure rather than a measured outcome on live infrastructure.

What the operators said

Iain Milligan, Network Development and Infrastructure Director at VodafoneThree, framed the deployment as part of a wider financial commitment. "The deployment of Ericsson's AIR 3266 is another important step in our £11 billion investment to build the UK's best network," he said.

He added that the technology would help deliver greater capacity and improved coverage while cutting energy consumption and simplifying deployment. "It also creates a platform for introducing new AI-powered capabilities that can optimize network performance in real-time, helping us deliver an even better experience for customers as demand for data continues to grow."

Luca Orsini, Ericsson's Head of North Europe, stressed the symbolism of the first-mover deployment. "Being first in the world to deploy Ericsson's AIR 3266 is a clear signal of the pace and ambition behind our partnership with VodafoneThree," he said.

Orsini said the upgrade would improve customer experience and coverage on one of the UK's busiest networks while reducing energy use and carbon footprint. "Each step we take together, culminating in this world-first deployment, is laying the groundwork for an AI-ready network built for what comes next," he said.

The road ahead

The immediate commercial test comes with the AI-native Scheduler trial, due before the end of VodafoneThree's financial year. A nationwide rollout of that capability is pencilled in for 2027, subject to successful testing, while the RAN and core upgrades across the 10,000-plus site estate continue under the SEK 12.5 billion programme.