Telia and Ericsson have announced a five year multi-billion euro deal to deploy 5G networks in Sweden and Estonia. The networks will be rolled out between 2021 and 2025 and will support 7 million customers.
Telia and Ericsson are already deploying 5G across Norway, but have now agreed to work together to upgrade existing 4G networks across Sweden and Estonia. The deal covers the upgrading of 10,000 cellular sites in an area of more than 500,000sq km.
Allison Kirkby, President and CEO, Telia Company, commented: “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.”
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, said: “We share an ambition with Telia to create a better-connected world with a more sustainable future in which the Nordic and Baltic countries play a powerful part.”
Ericsson and Telia have worked closely on 5G development in the region, partnering on tests and trials as far back as 2016. The companies have also joined forces with other industry and academic leaders to develop 5G use cases such as self-driving trucks, a driverless ferry trial in Norway and trialling a 5G-enabled driverless electric minibus in Stockholm. This year, the partners have launched commercial 5G in Norway and Sweden.