Telia will deploy 5G equipment from Swedish vendor Ericsson in its home market while choosing Nokia for its operations in Finland.
Beginning in Sweden, Telia has signed a five-year agreement with Ericsson, a partnership the operator describes as bringing together two regional wireless pioneers to deliver an enhanced 5G experience for its roughly seven million customers across Sweden and Estonia.
“With today’s agreement, we have the foundation in place to develop the most trusted and reliable 5G networks in the Nordics and the Baltics. It is also the start of a multiyear investment in our networks, ramping up fully in 2021,” says Allison Kirkby, President and CEO of Telia.
Kirkby highlights the long-standing, innovative collaboration with Ericsson, calling the partnership “truly ‘Made in Sweden’.” She points to recent local pilots, such as a 5G-powered autonomous electric bus in Stockholm, as examples of what the collaboration enables.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will be the sole supplier of radio access network (RAN) technology for Telia in Sweden, upgrading some 10,000 sites to 5G.
“The full realisation of 5G’s potential begins with the network. With that in place, the true power to innovate, explore and experience the world through 5G becomes possible,” comments Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson.
Ekholm adds that the next global, game-changing network application could emerge from a startup or developer leveraging a Telia 5G network built on Ericsson technology.
The announcement in Sweden came shortly after the country moved to ban certain Chinese vendors from 5G deployments.
Meanwhile in Finland…
In Finland, Telia has signed another five-year agreement—this time with Nokia. Nokia will supply 5G radio access network technology for Telia’s Finnish base stations and provide a broader role across Telia’s markets.
Telia will also roll out Nokia’s standalone (SA) 5G Core solution across all its markets. The operator says this core deployment will unlock new capabilities over time, including support for mission-critical factory systems and other uses requiring extremely low latency.
“Our networks have never been more important and are the foundation of a thriving digital economy. Nokia is our sole supplier of 5G standalone core in all markets and of radio network technology in Finland,” says Kirkby.
Telia and Nokia previously collaborated on early 5G trials in Finland, launching the first pre-commercial 5G networks in Helsinki, Vantaa, and Oulu in September 2018.
“For over half a century, we have worked with Telia to deliver best-in-class connectivity – now that continues into the 5G era, as we supply Telia’s RAN technology in Finland and its core 5G network across the Nordic and Baltic nations,” says Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia.
Telia states that the 5G networks it is deploying are up to five times more energy-efficient than previous generations and are powered by 100 percent renewable electricity, reflecting the operator’s sustainability commitments.
(Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash)