Moving from an Ericsson Radio 2219 to a Radio 4415 means going from a 2T2R radio to a 4T4R radio on the same band. The upgrade gives you 4×4 MIMO on the downlink, four receive branches on the uplink and a wider instantaneous bandwidth, but it is not a simple box swap: you also need four antenna paths, enough CPRI and baseband capacity, matching software features and a different DC power connection. This guide walks through what changes, what stays the same and how to plan the upgrade sector by sector.
Radio 2219 vs Radio 4415: What Changes
Both units are outdoor macro radios from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio. They connect to an Ericsson baseband over CPRI fiber, run GSM, WCDMA and LTE according to their datasheets, and are rated IP65 for outdoor installation. The table below compares the published datasheet values that matter most for an upgrade. Figures vary by band variant, so always check the product number on the label of the specific unit.
| Parameter | Radio 2219 | Radio 4415 |
|---|---|---|
| TX/RX configuration | 2T2R | 4T4R |
| Maximum output power | 2 x 80 W (e.g. B3) or 2 x 60 W (e.g. B1, B8), depending on band variant | Up to 4 x 40 W |
| Instantaneous bandwidth | Up to 60 MHz (B1), 55 MHz (B3), up to 40 MHz on most other bands | Up to 75 MHz (FDD), up to 100 MHz (TDD variants) |
| Radio standards | GSM, WCDMA, LTE | GSM, WCDMA, LTE |
| GSM / WCDMA carriers | Up to 8 / up to 8 | Up to 8 / up to 8 |
| CPRI ports | 2 (2.5 / 4.9 / 9.8 Gbps, exchangeable SFP) | 2 (2.5 / 5 / 10 Gbps, exchangeable SFP) |
| Antenna ports | 2 x 4.3-10 (female) | 4 x 4.3-10 (female), plus SMA calibration port |
| Power supply | -48 V DC, 2-wire | -48 V DC, 3-wire (optional AC PSU) |
| Weight | 18-19 kg (21 kg for B28) | 20 kg |
| Volume | 17 liters (20 liters for B28) | 17 liters |
| Operating temperature | -40 °C to +55 °C | -40 °C to +55 °C |
| Max. fiber distance to baseband | Up to 40 km | Up to 40 km |
Two points stand out. First, total output power is similar on 1800 MHz: a 2219 B3 delivers 2 x 80 W and a 4415 delivers 4 x 40 W, so the gain comes from more transmit and receive paths, not from more watts. On 2100 MHz the 2219 B1 is rated 2 x 60 W, so moving to a 4415 B1 also raises the total available power. Second, the physical footprint is almost unchanged (17 liters for both, about 1-2 kg heavier for the 4415), so mounting space is rarely the blocking factor.
Why Upgrade from 2T2R to 4T4R
Downlink: 4×4 MIMO
With four transmit branches, an LTE cell can use 4-layer MIMO for devices that support it, which raises peak and average spectral efficiency on busy sectors. On a 2T2R radio the cell is limited to two layers regardless of device capability.
Uplink: four-way receive diversity
Four receive branches improve uplink sensitivity and coverage at the cell edge. This is often the more noticeable gain in practice, because uplink is usually the limiting link on mid-band layers such as 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz.
Wider bandwidth on the same radio
The 4415 supports up to 75 MHz IBW on FDD bands, compared with 55-60 MHz on the 2219 B3 and B1. If you hold more spectrum on a band than one 2219 can cover, or plan to refarm GSM or WCDMA spectrum into LTE, the wider IBW gives more room in a single unit.
The Intermediate Option: Radio 2219 + Radio 0208
The Radio 2219 datasheet notes that the number of receive branches can be extended from two to four by pairing the radio with a Radio 0208. This gives four-way receive diversity on the uplink while keeping 2T on the downlink. It can be a useful step where uplink coverage is the main problem and the antenna already has four ports, but it does not give 4×4 downlink MIMO. If you want both, a 4T4R radio such as the 4415 is the cleaner solution.
What You Need to Check Before the Upgrade
1. Band variant
Match the band of the new radio to the band of the old one. A typical path is Radio 2219 B3 to Radio 4415 B3 on 1800 MHz, and Radio 2219 B1 to Radio 4415 B1 on 2100 MHz. Confirm that the frequency range of the variant covers your licensed spectrum and carrier plan. Sub-1 GHz layers such as 900 MHz are often kept on 2T2R radios, because 4T4R gains there are limited by antenna size; check whether a 4T4R variant fits your plan before committing.
2. Antenna system
A 4T4R radio needs four RF paths to the antenna. On most sites this means a 4-port antenna (two cross-polarized columns per band) or two dual-port antennas per sector, plus two extra jumpers per sector. If the existing antenna only has two ports for the band, the antenna swap is usually the largest part of the work. Plan RET control and any TMA arrangement at the same time.
3. DC power cabling
The Radio 2219 uses a 2-wire -48 V DC connection; the Radio 4415 datasheet specifies a 3-wire connection. Prepare the correct power cables and connectors before the site visit, and check that the DC distribution and protection have enough margin for the new configuration.
4. CPRI and fronthaul
Four antenna branches carry roughly twice the IQ data of two branches for the same bandwidth, so the CPRI link needs more capacity. Check the SFP modules (the 4415 supports line rates up to 10 Gbps class), the fiber and any cascade configuration. A chain that worked with 2219 units may need to be reconfigured as a star connection after the upgrade.
5. Baseband capacity and software
Each 4T4R sector consumes more baseband processing and CPRI ports than a 2T2R sector. Check that your baseband model and software release support the 4415 and the number of 4T4R cells you plan, and that the required MIMO features and licenses are in place. Our Ericsson radio and baseband compatibility guide covers which basebands pair with the 2219 and 4415. If the existing baseband is short of capacity, units such as the Ericsson Baseband 6630 are common choices for LTE expansion.
6. Tower load
The 4415 is about 1-2 kg heavier than a 2219 in the same volume. That is small per unit, but the new antennas and extra jumpers usually add more load than the radios themselves. Include all of them in the structural check.
A Practical Upgrade Sequence
- Audit the site: record the KRC number and band of every installed 2219, antenna model and port count, SFPs, fiber routes, DC cabling and baseband configuration.
- Select the replacement: choose the 4415 band variant for each sector. Where tower load is tight on 1800 MHz or 2100 MHz, the lighter Radio 4428 B3 is an alternative 4T4R option.
- Prepare materials: antennas if needed, jumpers, 3-wire DC cables, SFPs and fiber.
- Prepare configuration: update the baseband configuration for 4T4R cells and confirm licenses before the site visit.
- Swap and test: install the radio, connect all four RF paths, measure VSWR on each branch, then verify CPRI link status, alarms and cell performance.
- Keep the removed 2219 units: working units can serve as spares for other 2T2R sites, or be sold as surplus.
Before installing a used radio, follow a structured inspection. Our checklist on testing used Ericsson radio units covers the steps.
FAQ
Can a Radio 4415 directly replace a Radio 2219?
Physically, yes: both are about 17 liters and use similar mounting options. Electrically and in the network, you need four antenna paths, a 3-wire DC cable, enough CPRI capacity and a baseband configuration for 4T4R cells. With only two antenna ports connected, you lose most of the benefit.
Does the Radio 4415 have more output power than the Radio 2219?
The 4415 is rated up to 4 x 40 W. The 2219 is rated 2 x 80 W on bands such as B3 and 2 x 60 W on bands such as B1 and B8. On 1800 MHz the total is similar; on 2100 MHz the 4415 offers more total power.
Is there a way to get four receive branches without replacing the 2219?
Yes. According to the Radio 2219 datasheet, pairing it with a Radio 0208 extends receive branches from two to four. The downlink stays 2T.
Will the upgrade work on my existing baseband?
It depends on the baseband model, software release, available CPRI ports and licensed features. Check these with your planning team before ordering radios.
Buy Tested Ericsson Radio 4415 and 2219 Units
We supply used Ericsson radios for upgrades, expansions and spares. Every unit is functionally tested and VSWR tested before shipment, comes with a 90-day warranty, and is shipped worldwide in secure packaging. Browse our Ericsson category or send us the model, band and quantity you need via WhatsApp +86 187 3329 4669 / +86 139 3088 8705, email jack@telecombts.com, or the form on our contact page.
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