Ericsson, Nokia · Active Antenna Units
Active antenna units: Ericsson AIR and Nokia AirScale MAA
Ericsson AIR and Nokia AirScale MAA units solve the same problem in the same way — radio and antenna array integrated into one enclosure so a tower can carry massive MIMO without carrying separate radios and panels — and they are the two most common families we are asked to source for 5G mid-band builds. This page lists both together so they can be compared on the fields that actually decide a purchase, which is a comparison neither manufacturer's own documentation offers.
How to read these part numbers
Ericsson uses AIR followed by a four-digit model and a band designation — AIR 3227 B78W, AIR 6449 B42 — where the first digits relate to the radio configuration and the B suffix is the 3GPP band with a trailing letter for the sub-band variant. The KRD product number is the ordering reference. Nokia uses a four-letter code such as AEQA or AEQQ plus a six-character part number, with the readable description carrying the TX/RX order and power. Where a row shows a configuration such as 64T64R 200W, that is transmit and receive branch count followed by total output power.
Catalogue
Equipment reference
| Part Number | Model / Designation | Compatibility | Band / Interface | Condition | Lead Time | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 471011A.102 | AAHB | On enquiry | B41 | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| 474212A | NOKIA AEQA AirScale MAA | On enquiry | B42 | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| 474750a | AEQE | On enquiry | AirScale MAA 64T64R 192AE n78 200W | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| 475252A | NOKIA AEQQ AirScale MAA | On enquiry | 32T32R, 192AE, n78, 200W | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| BFD101122/2 | Antenna 6471/2 | On enquiry | 5G NR | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD 901 119/11 | AIR 6449 B42 | On enquiry | B42 | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD 901 188/11 | AIR 3227 B42 | On enquiry | B42 | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD901087/11 | AIR 6488 B42F | On enquiry | B42F | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD901096/11 | AIR 6648 B43 | On enquiry | B43 | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD901188/11 | AIR 3327 B42 | On enquiry | B42 | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD901201/11 | AIR 3227 B78T | On enquiry | B78T | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD901220/11 | AIR 3227 B78W | On enquiry | B78W | On enquiry | On enquiry | |
| KRD901266/11 | AIR 3278 B78K | On enquiry | B78K | On enquiry | On enquiry |
Cannot find a part number? Send us the number and we will identify and price it.
Ordering notes
Band and sub-band first, then TX/RX order, then total output power, then the fronthaul interface — CPRI and eCPRI are not interchangeable and the baseband at the other end has to match. Then the two fields that get forgotten: weight and windload. These units are substantially heavier than the radios they replace, and tower structural capacity has stopped more AAU deployments than specification mismatches have. Confirm your baseband model and software release with the enquiry.
Lifecycle and availability
Both families remain in production in current band variants, with older variants moving to end-of-sale as spectrum allocations change. Condition is stated per line; new-surplus units appear regularly as operators re-plan builds.
Equipment condition
New — factory-sealed, supplied through the manufacturer's own channel or a qualified distributor, with full manufacturer warranty.
New surplus — unused factory stock, original packaging where available, sourced from decommissioned projects or distributor inventory. Manufacturer warranty may have lapsed; CRS PLUS warranty applies.
Refurbished / tested — previously deployed equipment, cleaned, firmware-checked and functionally tested against the manufacturer's specification before shipment. CRS PLUS warranty applies.
Condition is confirmed in writing on every quotation before you commit to an order.
Warranty
Warranty terms vary by item, by condition and by the supplier the equipment is sourced from. They are stated in writing on the quotation, per line item, before you commit to an order.
Where equipment is supplied new through the manufacturer's own channel, the manufacturer's warranty applies and is passed to you.
Send us the part numbers you need and we will confirm warranty terms alongside availability, condition, lead time and price.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can an Ericsson AIR unit work with a Nokia baseband?
No. Fronthaul interfaces and system architecture are vendor-specific. The AAU has to match the baseband vendor and generation.
What does B78 mean on an AIR unit?
3GPP band 78, the 3.5 GHz mid-band used for most 5G builds in this region. The trailing letter — W, T, K — indicates the sub-band and configuration variant, and those are not interchangeable.
How much do these weigh?
Substantially more than the radios they replace, and enough that tower loading needs checking before purchase. We supply weight and windload figures with the quotation so the structural check can be done before you commit.
Are new units available or only surplus?
Both. Current band variants are available new; older variants and specific sub-band configurations are increasingly surplus-market items. We state condition per line.
Related pages
Manufacturer names, product names and part numbers are the property of their respective owners and are used here for identification purposes only. CRS PLUS sources these products through its qualified supplier base and holds no distributor, reseller or agency appointment from any manufacturer listed.
This catalogue is compiled from our supplier network's available inventory and from manufacturer product documentation, and is reviewed monthly. Listing does not indicate stock held by CRS PLUS — availability, condition and lead time are confirmed per enquiry. Last reviewed: 22 August 2026.
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