Ericsson radio equipment sits on a huge number of mobile sites, so spare radios, basebands and site parts stay in steady demand. When a radio fails on a live site, you need the exact replacement fast. You also need it to work with the gear already on the tower.
This guide walks through the main lines of Ericsson radio equipment, how the part numbers work and how to pick a replacement that fits. Silverback supplies new and used Ericsson hardware, tested before it ships, and buys back gear from sites you retire.
The Ericsson radio equipment portfolio at a glance
Ericsson groups its current RAN hardware under Ericsson Radio System. It includes remote radios, antenna systems and RAN Compute basebands, and you can read the official overview on Ericsson's RAN pages. Older sites still run the RBS 6000 platform, while many microwave links use MINI-LINK.
Here is how the main lines break down.
- Ericsson Radio System remote radios, such as the Radio 2217, Radio 4415 and Radio 8863.
- AIR antenna integrated radios and Massive MIMO units, such as the AIR 6449 and AIR 6488.
- RAN Compute basebands, such as the Baseband 5212, 5216, 6630 and 6651.
- RBS 6000 digital units (DUG, DUW, DUL and DUS) and radio units (RUS and RRUS).
- Site power, cooling and mounting hardware.
- MINI-LINK microwave radios and modems, as well as legacy AXE boards.
Ericsson Radio System remote radios
Remote radios are the workhorses of most macro sites. Ericsson builds them with 2 to 8 transmit and receive paths, in single band and multi band versions. For example, the KRC161549/1 is a Radio 2217 for Band 20, while the KRC161923/1 is a Radio 4466 that covers Bands 1, 3 and 7. Our guide to Radio 22xx, 44xx and 88xx units lists every model we supply.
AIR antennas and RAN Compute basebands
AIR units combine the radio and the antenna in one box. Massive MIMO versions also take on some baseband functions, and they work in both TDD and FDD spectrum. The AIR 6449 B43 (KRD901203/11) is a common 5G mid-band example. RAN Compute is the baseband side, with indoor and outdoor units that run several radio technologies at once.
Our AIR and baseband buying guide covers both, including the Baseband 6651 (KDU1370093/11).
RBS 6000 radios and digital units
The RBS 6000 platform came before Ericsson Radio System, and many operators still run it. It used digital units by technology: DUG for GSM, DUW for WCDMA, DUL for LTE and DUS for multi standard. Radio units came as RUS and RRUS models, such as the RRUS 32 B3 (KRC161413/1). We cover them in our RBS 6000 spares guide.
Site power and MINI-LINK transport
A site also needs power supplies, PDUs, battery fuse units, fans and rails. Our site power and cooling guide covers parts such as the PSU AC 03 (BML161184/1). For backhaul, MINI-LINK links use modem units and outdoor radio units, such as the MMU 1002 (ROJ1192505/1). Those parts, as well as AXE boards, sit in our microwave and transport board guide.
How Ericsson part numbers and band codes work
Every piece of Ericsson radio equipment carries a product number and a model name. The product number is what you order by, so read it from the label before you ask for a quote.
The prefix gives a quick hint about the type of unit. In the parts we supply, KRC numbers cover radio units and KDU numbers cover digital and baseband units. KRD numbers cover AIR units and the RBS 6501 micro base station. So when you see a KRC number, start by thinking radio.
Reading the band code in an Ericsson radio equipment name
The model name tells you the band. For example, Radio 4415 B7 (KRC161495/1) covers Band 7 (2600 MHz), while Radio 4415 B66A (KRC161644/1) covers Band 66A (AWS). Some names add a sub-band letter, such as B28B for part of Band 28 (700 MHz). Multi band radios list each band, so "44B1 44B3" means Band 1 and Band 3.
The number after the slash marks a variant. Two variants can differ in band or power, so treat them as different parts. For instance, KRC161706/1 is the Radio 4418 B40T, while KRC161706/5 is the B40N version.
How to choose replacement Ericsson radio equipment
When Ericsson radio equipment fails, start with the label on the failed unit. Then check three things before you order a replacement.
Match the band and sub-band
The new radio must cover the same band as the old one, and the same sub-band where one applies. A Band 28B radio is not the same as a full Band 28 radio, even though the names look close. If one radio carries several bands, the replacement must cover all of them.
Match the power and MIMO size
Output power and the number of transmit paths shape coverage, so match them to the site design. The series number helps here. In our range, the Radio 2217 is a 2T2R unit, the Radio 4466 and 4499 are 4T4R, and the Radio 8863 is 8T8R. However, power can differ between variants, so check the label rather than a listing.
Check generation compatibility with the baseband
A radio has to work with the baseband that drives it. RBS 6000 radios pair with digital units such as the DUS, while Ericsson Radio System radios pair with RAN Compute basebands. The software release matters too, so confirm support with your RAN team before you mix generations. In addition, Ericsson Radio Gateways convert CPRI to eCPRI, so older CPRI radios can use packet fronthaul.
Keeping live sites running with Ericsson radio equipment spares
Radios fail in the field, and a site that is down costs revenue every hour. That is why many operators hold a small pool of spares for the bands they run most. A spare on the shelf turns a long outage into a quick swap.
Build your list of Ericsson radio equipment spares from the units that fail most often and the ones your crews swap most. Also include the small parts that can stop a site, such as PSUs, fans and fuse units. Since RBS 6000 is an older platform, spares such as the RUS 01 B3 (KRC11865/1) are worth keeping on the shelf.
New vs used Ericsson radio equipment
New units make sense for a fresh build or when you want the longest service life. However, many live sites run older models that are best replaced like for like. In that case, a tested used unit gives you the same part number at a lower cost.
Silverback tests used Ericsson radio equipment before it ships, so you know it powers up and works as described. You can ask for new or used condition on any quote. For a deeper look at the trade-offs, read our guide to refurbished vs new hardware.
Buyback and ITAD for decommissioned site gear
When you swap or retire a site, the old Ericsson radio equipment still has value, from radios to basebands and boards. Silverback buys back decommissioned telecom gear, so retired equipment can offset the cost of the upgrade. See how buyback value works for the factors that set a price.
Basebands and controllers can hold site configuration data, so they need careful handling. Silverback offers certified data destruction and runs ITAD under R2v3, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. As a result, you get a clean audit trail as well as a responsible end of life for the hardware.
Why buy Ericsson radio equipment from Silverback
Silverback focuses on the parts operators need to keep sites on air. We supply new and used Ericsson radio equipment, including radios, basebands, site parts and MINI-LINK gear, tested before it ships. Send us the part number and get pricing and lead time within one business day.
You can also browse our current inventory or send a full list through our quote request form. Because we also buy back retired gear, one supplier can cover both sides of a site upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ericsson equipment does Silverback supply?
Silverback supplies new and used Ericsson remote radios, AIR units, basebands, RBS 6000 parts, site power hardware and MINI-LINK gear. We test every used unit before it ships.
How do I find the right part number for a replacement radio?
Read the product number from the label on the failed unit, such as KRC161495/1. Then send it to us with the model name and band, and we will match it.
Can I mix RBS 6000 and Ericsson Radio System hardware?
Some mixes work and some do not, because the radio must suit the baseband and software release. Check with your RAN team before you swap generations.
Does Silverback buy used Ericsson radio equipment?
Yes. We buy back decommissioned radios, basebands and site gear, and we offer certified data destruction for units that hold data.
Do you supply new or used units?
Both. Ask for new or used condition on your quote, and we test every used unit before it ships.
Get a quote for Ericsson radio equipment
Send us your part numbers, quantities and preferred condition. We reply with pricing and lead time within one business day.
Call (888) 391-5211 or use our online quote form. Silverback supplies new and used Ericsson radio equipment, tested before it ships.
