Ericsson Radio 4415 and Radio 4428 are both 4T4R macro remote radio units with up to 4 x 40 W output power, so on paper they look almost identical. The practical differences are in size and weight, GSM carrier capacity, power cabling and the bands each variant covers. In short: the Radio 4428 is the lighter, more compact unit with more GSM carriers, while the Radio 4415 is the widely deployed workhorse with a broad range of FDD and TDD band variants. This guide compares the two using Ericsson datasheet figures and explains what to check when buying used units.
Radio 4415 vs Radio 4428 at a Glance
Both radios belong to the Ericsson Radio System portfolio, connect to an Ericsson baseband over CPRI fiber and are designed for outdoor mounting close to the antenna. The table below summarizes the published datasheet values. Exact figures can vary by band variant and hardware revision, so always confirm the specific product number.
| Parameter | Radio 4415 | Radio 4428 |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | 4T4R | 4T4R |
| Maximum output power | Up to 4 x 40 W | Up to 4 x 40 W |
| Radio standards (datasheet) | GSM, WCDMA, LTE | GSM, WCDMA, LTE |
| Bands | 3GPP FDD and TDD band variants | 3GPP FDD variants (B1, B3, B3B listed) |
| Instantaneous bandwidth | Up to 75 MHz (FDD), up to 100 MHz (TDD) | Up to 75 MHz |
| GSM carriers | Up to 8 | Up to 12 |
| WCDMA carriers | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| LTE | Carriers within the IBW | Up to 6 LTE carriers in MIMO |
| CPRI ports | 2 (2.5 / 5 / 10 Gbps, exchangeable SFP) | 2 (2.5 / 4.9 / 9.8 / 10.1 Gbps, exchangeable SFP) |
| Antenna ports | 4 x 4.3-10 (female), plus SMA calibration port | 4 x 4.3-10 (female) |
| Power supply | -48 V DC (3-wire), optional AC PSU | -48 V DC (2-wire), optional AC PSU |
| Weight | 20 kg | 16 kg |
| Volume | 17 liters | 15 liters |
| Operating temperature | -40 °C to +55 °C | -40 °C to +55 °C |
| Ingress protection | IP65 | IP65 |
| Max. fiber distance to baseband | Up to 40 km | Up to 40 km |
Key Differences Explained
1. Size and weight
The most visible difference is physical. The Radio 4428 weighs 16 kg and occupies about 15 liters, against 20 kg and 17 liters for the Radio 4415. On a crowded pole or tower, 4 kg less per radio matters: a three-sector site saves around 12 kg of tower load, and lighter units are easier for a rigging crew to lift and mount. If you are adding 4T4R radios to existing structures with limited load margin, the 4428 is often the easier fit.
2. GSM carrier capacity
Both radios are multi-standard and can run GSM, WCDMA and LTE. The 4428 datasheet lists up to 12 GSM carriers, compared with up to 8 on the 4415. For operators that still carry significant 2G traffic on 1800 MHz or 2100 MHz spectrum alongside LTE, the extra GSM carriers give more room for mixed-mode configurations. For LTE-only sites, this difference has little impact.
3. Band variants
The Radio 4415 is offered in a wide range of band variants, including FDD bands such as B1 (2100 MHz), B3 (1800 MHz) and B7 (2600 MHz), as well as TDD variants where the IBW extends to 100 MHz. The Radio 4428 datasheet lists FDD variants for B1, B3 and B3B. In practice, this means the 4415 is the more common choice when you need a 4T4R radio for 2600 MHz or other less common bands, while the 4428 is typically found on 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz layers.
4. Power cabling
The Radio 4415 datasheet specifies a 3-wire -48 V DC connection, while the Radio 4428 uses a 2-wire -48 V DC connection. Both can be fitted with an optional AC power supply unit. When swapping one model for the other, check that your existing DC power cables, connectors and protection match the radio you are installing.
5. CPRI and baseband connection
Each radio has two CPRI ports with exchangeable SFP modules and supports up to 10 Gbps class line rates, so both can be daisy-chained or connected directly to the baseband. Fiber distance to the baseband can be up to 40 km for both. Baseband support and the radio standards you can run depend on the baseband model and software release. Our Ericsson radio and baseband compatibility guide covers which Ericsson basebands pair with the 4415 and 4428.
Which One Should You Choose?
Because output power and MIMO configuration are the same, the decision usually comes down to the band, the site and what is already in the network:
- Choose the Radio 4415 if you need a band the 4428 is not offered in (for example 2600 MHz), if you run TDD spectrum, or if your network already uses 4415 units and you want like-for-like spares. See the Ericsson Radio 4415 B3 and Ericsson Radio 4415 B1.
- Choose the Radio 4428 if tower load or mounting space is tight, or if you need more GSM carriers on a mixed GSM/LTE 1800 MHz layer. See the Ericsson Radio 4428 B3.
- Standardize on one model per band where possible. Mixing models in the same sector set complicates spares handling and power cabling.
If you need a higher-power 4T4R option on 1800 MHz, the Ericsson Radio 4429 B3 is also available. You can browse all units in our Ericsson category.
What to Check When Buying a Used 4415 or 4428
- Product number and R-state: read the KRC number and revision on the label and confirm it matches the band you need. Model names alone are not enough, because each model has several band variants. Our guide to Ericsson radio KRC numbers explains how to read the label.
- Band and IBW: make sure the frequency range of the variant covers your licensed spectrum and carrier plan.
- Connectors: inspect the 4.3-10 antenna ports, CPRI ports and power connector for damage or corrosion.
- Power interface: confirm the DC cabling matches (3-wire on the 4415, 2-wire on the 4428) or plan for the right cables.
- SFP modules: check whether SFPs are included and whether their line rate suits your baseband.
- Test results: ask for functional and VSWR test confirmation before shipment.
FAQ
Do the Radio 4415 and Radio 4428 have the same output power?
Yes. Both datasheets list up to 4 x 40 W in a 4T4R configuration. The differences are in weight, volume, GSM carrier count, band variants and power cabling.
Can a Radio 4428 replace a Radio 4415 on the same site?
In many cases, yes, provided the band variant matches, the baseband and software support the unit, and the DC power cabling is adapted from 3-wire to 2-wire. Confirm the configuration with your planning team before swapping.
Which radio is lighter?
The Radio 4428, at 16 kg and about 15 liters, compared with 20 kg and 17 liters for the Radio 4415.
Do both radios support GSM?
Yes. Both support GSM, WCDMA and LTE. The 4428 datasheet lists up to 12 GSM carriers and the 4415 up to 8.
Buy Tested Ericsson Radio 4415 and 4428 Units
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