Three UK selects Ericsson to build largest mobile packet core in Europe

　　Three UK has selected Ericsson to build its next generation cloud-native core network, which will be the largest in Europe more than tripling its core capacity to 9 terabits per second (Tbps).

　　Data usage on Three’s network has exploded in recent years surpassing 2Tbps in December 2024 due to Premier League streaming on Amazon Prime and gaming updates. This comes just over two years after reaching 1Tbps, a milestone which took almost two decades to reach. The rapid increase has been driven by streaming, gaming and home broadband.

　　Three UK continues to lead the way on mobile data consumption with the most traffic by any other operator (Enders Analysis) with customers using an average of 31.5GB per month throughout 2024, up 18% YoY and 2.4x 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 have a proven track record of performance in competitive markets around the world, delivering benefits to telecom operators and customers such as:

　　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

　　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 its 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 its customers.”