Ericsson (News - Alert) today at CTIA unleashed a flurry of news aimed at making broadband more widely available and affordable. That includes a couple of announcements that involve expanding high-speed access to rural and remote areas.

One involves Ericsson joining forces with the NetAmerica Alliance LLC to bring 4G LTE (News - Alert) to smaller markets and rural areas in the U.S. NetAmerica will help enable that by building and deploying a shared nationwide LTE network based on Ericsson gear. Through a four-year contract with NetAmerica, Ericsson will be the sole supplier for the LTE-based radio access network and the core network, which will be based on evolved packet core technology.

In a separate deal, Ericsson has been tapped to provide a Marconi LH long-haul microwave system to support broadband services for 65 rural communities in southwest Alaska. This is part of the TERRA-Southwest project run by United Utilities, Inc. The project ultimately will serve more than 9,000 households and nearly 750 businesses in Alaska.

Ericsson today also unveiled two new HSPA mobile broadband modules. The C5621gw and H5321gw modules are intended to allow for a wider variety of connected devices. They are thinner, 40 percent smaller and three times faster than previous generations of modules, according to the company. And the C5621gw is among the products included in the AT&T (News - Alert) 3G Access Program, which aims to deliver low-cost solutions for consumer electronics and M2M applications.

Also at CTIA, Ericsson introduced a program it calls Connections. It allows members to have access to the company’s testing labs and professional input. The initial focus of the effort will be on platforms, technologies and services that connect devices, next-generation TV and multimedia communication services, and involve video-centric content. Verticals being targeted include medical, transportation and utility.

Hans Vestberg (News - Alert), Ericsson’s president and CEO, at CTIA today also recapped some of the company’s news from Mobile World Congress (News - Alert). At that show, the company announced a partnership with Akamai that has to do with mobile content acceleration. Ericsson in Barcelona also unveiled a new IP networking portfolio.