Three UK has selected Ericsson to build its next generation cloud-native core network, which will more than triple its core capacity to 9 terabits per second (Tbps).
Data usage on Three’s network surpassed 2Tbps in December 2024. This comes just over two years after reaching 1Tbps. The rapid increase has been driven by streaming, gaming and home broadband.
Three UK’s customers used an average of 31.5GB per month throughout 2024, up 18 per cent YoY and 2.4 times the national average.
The new cloud-native core network, powered by Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core solution and supported by Ericsson Cloud Native Infrastructure solution, will sit on Three’s nationwide distributed data centre network, which brings its core network closer to its customers, helping to support improved latency.
Ericsson’s core network capabilities provide: scalable capacity growth to support future needs; enhanced stability with less downtime; greater network insights, enabling Three UK to manage demand more effectively; in-service software upgrades – the ability to upgrade infrastructure without having to drain traffic from a data centre; and enhanced environmental performance via latest technology upgrades.
The cloud-native infrastructure and core network solution is already being installed in Three’s data centres and will be partially operational by the end of this year with a careful migration of all traffic over the next few years.
Iain Milligan, chief network officer at Three, said, “The last few years have seen a tsunami of data growth with traffic at peak times doubling in a little over two years driven by home broadband, streaming and gaming usage on our network grow faster than ever. Our new core network with Ericsson ensures we are able to support our customers’ data usage over the medium and long-term.”
Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson UK & Ireland, said, “We are incredibly proud to support Three UK in this next stage of their network transformation. Our longstanding partnership with Three is one built on trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional mobile experiences. This project is a significant milestone in our collaboration, and we’re excited to help Three build a new core network to meet the ever-growing data demands of their customers.”