Ericsson and Altice Group are partnering to test 5G services in Portugal to ascertain the deployment requirements for the next generation of cellular technology.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the networking vendor and Altice Group’s innovation unit Altice Labs will see them conducting joint research through field tests of 5G technologies, products and services.
A primary focus of the partnership will be to define the requirements and deployment scenarios for 5G wireless systems and a 5G-ready core, based on a virtualised network architecture.
As part of the agreement, the partners will set up a 5G Lab in Aveiro where Altice Labs is headquartered. The lab will be used for proof of concepts, trials and demonstrations.
Paulo Neves, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Portugal Telecom, which is owned by Altice, said: “We believe that an ecosystem of strong partnerships is what makes the difference in the technological world.
“This research collaboration on the road to 5G reinforces this spirit with the goal of being always one step ahead, providing our clients the best solutions and products”.
Earlier this month, Ericsson introduced a new all-in-one platform providing operators with the core technological elements and services that will allow them to launch 5G networks. The new 5G platform combines 5G core, radio and transport portfolios in what the vendor says is in an industry first.
The Sweden-based company also demonstrated an intercontinental 5G network using network slicing in partnership with Deutsche Telekom and SK Telecom.