Ericsson has broadened its European 5G research work to include TeliaSonera, with both companies working on e-health, connected cars and next generation networks.
The strategic partnership will allow TeliaSonera customers to use 5G services in Stockholm and Tallinn from 2018.
The telcos said they will develop use-cases and deployment scenarios. Among the potential uses will be real-time surveillance of patients and mobile health, the ability to send critical communications to connected cars, and networks offering greater coverage and capacity, with low levels of power consumption.
Johan Dennelind, President and CEO TeliaSonera, said: “Our ambition is to be at the cutting edge – at all times – offering our customers and society at large all the possibilities that technology brings. Stockholm and Tallinn are two of the most connected cities in the world and now we will take them to the next level. 5G will create completely new innovations, ecosystems and great services to our customers. I can’t wait to see how Stockholm and Tallinn will embrace 5G.”
Hans Vestberg, President and CEO Ericsson, said: “More and more industries tap into the value of digitalization and connectivity. 5G will amplify that as it is designed to be the industrial internet. It will not only be built for consumers, but also for digitalisation of industries and the Internet of Things. Together with TeliaSonera we launched the first commercial 4G network in 2009, we will be in the forefront of 5G as well.”
Ericsson has been the most active European telco doing 5G research, with a wide range of partnerships and research projects launched. In recent months, it has signed partnerships with China Mobile, centred around the 5G air interface, Russian operator MTS, with plans to launch a 5G network during the 2018 World Cup, and set up an incubator in Budapest.