Nex-Tech Wireless and Ericsson Modernize Rural Kansas Network in Four-Year Deal

Nex-Tech Wireless and Ericsson have outlined a four-year network modernization agreement focused on rural Kansas, with the goal of upgrading a large portion of Nex-Tech Wireless1s Radio Access Network footprint and moving core capabilities to a cloud-native 5G Core. The companies said the work also enables hosting capabilities intended to support other mobile operators.

In the coverage area described as rural Kansas, the agreement extends an earlier collaboration and targets long-term technology and business requirements. Nex-Tech Wireless framed the effort as part of its rural telecom network modernization strategy, including support for 5G services outside major metropolitan markets.

On the access network side, Nex-Tech Wireless will upgrade using Ericsson Radio System products and solutions, including the AI-capable RAN Processor 6655 and 4G and 5G SA RAN software features. The update is described as intended to improve coverage, capacity, and spectral efficiency, and to provide FDD/TDD coverage. For the core, Ericsson1s dual-mode 5G Core solution will be expanded to include 5G Core and roaming capabilities on Ericsson Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution, with support for 5G Standalone deployment.

The agreement also introduces Ericsson Telco DataOps Platform to support 5G deployments while enabling billing and revenue management across the core network. Jon Lightle, President & CEO at Nex-Tech Wireless, said, “Nex-Tech Wireless is bringing the benefits of advanced 5G Standalone to rural Kansas communities,” adding that partnering with Ericsson will modernize RAN and expand the cloud-native 5G Core. Per Wahlen, Senior Vice President and Head of Customer Unit US Hyperscalers & Regional Accounts, Ericsson Americas, said, “This agreement underscores Ericsson's commitment to regional carriers that are driving innovation in rural markets,” and that Ericsson will help Nex-Tech Wireless execute modernization end-to-end, support subscriber growth, and enable hosting capabilities. The companies said the arrangement will run across the four-year period.