Ericsson advances 5G momentum in Europe
More than ever, 4G and 5G networks are proving to be critical national infrastructure. In Europe, 5G momentum continues to be highlighted by a host of recently announced Ericsson deals with leading service providers across the continent.
Ericsson and BT go cloud-native
In April of this year, Ericsson and British Telecommunication PLC (BT) announced plans to deploy a dual-mode 5G Core solution onto BT’s Network Cloud. The solution will form a key component in BT’s move to a single converged IP network, incorporating network orchestration and automation as well as continuous delivery and integration processes into BT’s existing customer experience management platforms using Ericsson Expert Analytics and built-in software probes.
Howard Watson, CTIO of BT, said: “An agile, cloud-native core infrastructure is at the heart of our ambition to enable the next generation of exciting 5G services for our customers and give the UK the world-class digital infrastructure it needs to win in the future global economy.”
Nationwide 5G in the Netherlands
VodafoneZiggo, the leading Dutch communications service provider, is launching 5G across the Netherlands with Ericsson Spectrum Sharing and 5G Core solutions at the heart of its rollout.
Ericsson Spectrum Sharing is particularly crucial to the 5G nationwide rollout due to the unique spectrum environment in the Netherlands compared to other European countries. In June of 2020, the 700MHz frequency will be auctioned, but the 3.5GHz band, which is currently being used by the country’s defense system, will not be available for auction until 2022.
By deploying Ericsson Spectrum Sharing already now, VodafoneZiggo can quickly introduce 5G over a wide area, using existing frequency bands and existing Ericsson Radio System equipment.
Arun Bansal, President Europe and Latin America, says: “Truly, it’s in times of crisis that we realize just how vital our communications networks are. Investing in 5G opens so many opportunities for us all, from remote medical care to automating resilient utilities services. Working together, we can keep more people connected, and safe.”
As part of its major network modernization project, Greece’s largest mobile communications service provider COSMOTE has selected Ericsson as its sole 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) vendor.
5G RAN products and solutions from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio will be deployed in the COSMOTE network as part of a smooth, fast and cost-effective transformation to 5G. Under a common approach to energy optimization, Ericsson Radio System radios and basebands will improve the carbon footprint of COSMOTE’s current network, contributing to significant energy savings.
Arun Bansal, President of Europe and Latin America at Ericsson, said: “5G is a platform that will change lives, business and society in Greece for the better. It will create opportunities for COSMOTE in industry and digital partnerships that will allow Greece to compete in technology innovation.”
5G for critical communications in Finland
The Erillisverkot Group is the state-owned company responsible for national communications networks for public authorities, emergency services and other critical services in Finland. In early April, Erillisverkot selected Ericsson to provide next-generation 5G core network products and solutions for its mission-critical broadband network.
Public safety agencies are increasingly turning to mobile solutions due to the capabilities provided by 4G and 5G development - such as the secure and speedy sharing of data, images and video. Erillisverkot’s next-generation Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) network initiative called Virve 2.0 is based on commercial mobile 3GPP technology with enhancements to meet security, availability and resilience.
The Ericsson 5G Core solutions will enable Erillisverkot to manage and control its mission-critical broadband network, safeguard information security and protect data integrity. The network is planned to be operational mid-2021.
Commercial 5G now live in Hungary
Magyar Telekom, the largest communications service provider in Hungary, launched commercial 5G services on April 9, 2020 using 5G-ready products and solutions from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio.
The launch came just two weeks after the service provider secured the related 3.5GHz spectrum in Hungary’s spectrum auction on March 26, with the network accessible to subscribers via 5G-ready devices, enabling them to benefit from the new generation of connectivity.
“Magyar Telekom has been preparing to launch 5G for a long time after exploring the business opportunities and 5G technology and operating a test network for six months with Ericsson,” Tibor Rékasi, CEO of Magyar Telekom. “This enabled us to launch commercial service quickly after receiving the frequency license. 5G provides our customers with higher data rates and low latency, as well as connection of many new devices, and 5G will become a platform for new applications and opportunities for both industries and individuals.”
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