Devices and subscriptions going on sale kicks off Telia’s “accelerated” 5G roll-out in Finland – it will launch 5G in Norway, with Ericsson, over the next four years.
Telia’s first 5G devices in Finland are Huawei Mate 20 X 5G and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G phones, as well as Nokia 5G FastMile gateway and Huawei 5G CPE Pro router for mobile broadband customers.
Commercial trials
Telia launched its commercial 5G network early in 2019. The network has so far been used in pilot projects – for example, at Helsinki Airport and the ABB factory at Pitäjänmäki. As a first phase, 5G is available in Helsinki (pictured), Vantaa and Oulu.
“We have started a 5G network roll-out program in the biggest Finnish cities and will bring the best devices to our customers. Now is the perfect time to start offering services to all customers,” said Janne Koistinen, 5G Program Manager for Telia Finland.
”We are accelerating network roll-out now that the first 5G devices are in the shops. At the end of the year, our network will be open in the seven biggest cities in Finland, and at the beginning of 2020, we will continue to build the coverage even wider,” he added.
Norway
Telia also announced that it will gradually introduce 5G coverage in Norway in partnership with Ericsson.
Beginning next year, Telia will start to upgrade its 2G and 4G networks, rolling out 5G over four years, beginning in the enterprise sector. Christian Luiga, acting President and CEO of Telia, said, “We look forward to working with our long-time technology partner Ericsson in digitalising the Norwegian society further by bringing 5G to Norway.
“Together with our customers, we will explore opportunities and innovate new services which will strengthen the 5G business case even further.
“5G is not only about building a new network but also about building a new way of thinking and perceiving what a mobile network can be and can do. High speed, low latency, guaranteed capacity and truly mobile is going to push the boundaries of digitalisation.”
In Norway’s spectrum auction in June this year, Telia secured two blocks of 10 MHz in the 700 MHz band, which it says will be a key enabler for 5G in Norway. The band will be available from November 1.