Swedish operator group Tele2 has enlisted the services of compatriot Ericsson to expand and upgrade its mobile backhaul network throughout Europe. The infrastructure vendor will provide Tele2 with its Mini-Link series of microwave radio solutions as well as professional support services and training.

The vendor has supplied Mini-Link microwave products to Tele2 for several years and said that the network expansion was necessary due to the widespread use of smartphones and tablets leading to a dramatic increase in mobile network traffic.

Robert Puskaric, president of Northern Europe and Central Asia at Ericsson, said the firm will provide Tele2 with a future-proof solution that supports both older technologies, such as GSM and 3G, and large volumes of IP data traffic in next-generation LTE networks.

Ericsson said that it has delivered more than 2.8 million microwave systems to more than 600 customers in more than 160 countries worldwide, including operators, governmental bodies and agencies.