Ericsson has launched a new 5G research project, teaming up with a Chinese academy to explore radio access technology, core network architecture and applications.
The deal, with the Chinese Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), will involve both companies sharing research ahead of the expected 5G commercialisation around 2020. CAICT was involved in the establishment of 3G and LTE standards.
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding this week and said more companies need to collaborate in order to set out the standards required for 5G and make the technology a reality.
Ulf Ewaldsson, Senior Vice President and CTO of Ericsson, commented: “We are very excited to be embarking on this new journey with CAICT towards the development of global 5G standards. Ericsson and CAICT have a long history of successful cooperation and we share the belief that mobile broadband technology benefits society by lifting productivity and the quality of life, and thereby contributing to sustainable development for all.”
Cao Shumin, President of CAICT, added: “CAICT is as committed as Ericsson to the international standardization of technologies through cooperation. We believe this is essential for achieving global economies of scale and fostering innovation. China, with a fledging ICT industry infrastructure and the world’s largest number of mobile subscriptions, will continue to be a vigorous driver of ICT innovation and sustainable growth.”
Last week, Ericsson announced a partnership with Singaporean operator SingTel to explore candidates for the standardisation of 5G. Both companies will test cloud core, radio technologies and M2M.
Rival Nokia Networks has also partnered with an Asian company to explore 5G. It announced a project with SK Telecom last month to reseaerch millimetre wave.
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