Tele2 has selected Ericsson (News - Alert), a provider of communications technology and services, for mobile backhaul network expansion throughout Europe. As part of the pact, Ericsson will provide Tele2 with its MINI-LINK series of microwave radio solutions as well as professional support services and training.

"We have supplied MINI-LINK microwave products to Tele2 for several years and are pleased to be able to continue to support Tele2's expansion,” said Robert Puskaric, president of region Northern Europe and Central Asia at Ericsson, in a statement.

Ericsson's MINI-LINK microwave product range 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 (News - Alert) networks.

MINI-LINK is microwave solution suitable for any network scenario. It enables flexible and speedy network rollout and provides gigabit capacity and carrier-grade availability.

Officials with Ericsson said one of the key features of LINK family of products is flexibility; they can be used both to create all-IP networks and in networks that are evolving from TDM to packet technology.

Recently, Reliance Communications (News - Alert) Limited, India’s fully integrated telecommunications service provider, signed a eight-year full-scope managed services agreement with Ericsson for one billion dollars to operate and manage the wireline and wireless networks for Northern and Western states of India.

As per the contract, Ericsson will manage the day-to-day operations across wireline and wireless networks and will take over responsibility for field maintenance, network operations and operational planning of Reliance Communications 2G, CDMA and 3G mobile networks.

This agreement is aimed to meet the fast-evolving customer demand for communications applications and services in one of the world’s most dynamic telecom markets.

Reliance Communications’ infrastructure covers 24,000 towns and 600,000 villages in India to which it offers converged services including voice, data and video.