Wed, Dec 05, 2018 09:00 CET

In an important step towards commercial launch of 5G in Sweden in 2020, Telia and Ericsson today launch Sweden’s first 5G network at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The cooperation betweenTelia, Ericsson and KTH aims to build an innovation arena where the Institute can test various applications of 5G with the support of industry actors. As no equipment suited to the international 5G standards has been available in Sweden, 5G innovation has so far been carried out on pre-standardized 5G technology. Until now.

“To have access to Sweden’s first 5G network here on campus is an amazing opportunity. It gives our researchers, teachers and students a head start when it comes to understanding and developing this new technology ahead of its wider launch. This is exactly the kind of partnership we believe helps stimulate research-driven innovation,” says Professor Jan Gulliksen, Vice President for Digitalization at KTH.

The network at KTH is permanent and constitutes the first building block in Sweden’s coming 5G network.

“Two years ago, we promised to bring 5G to Helsinki, Tallinn and Stockholm during 2018. In light of this, I’m especially proud of launching the first 5G network in Sweden at KTH today. This is going to be a truly dynamic test environment where not only large businesses and entrepreneurs from our partnership program, but also researchers and students, can continue to develop solutions for the connected society so that Sweden can remain at the forefront when 5G is launched commercially in 2020,” says Johan Dennelind, president and CEO of Telia Company.

Telia cooperates with several partners to ensure that technology is utilized in the best possible way. An example is the cooperation with Volvo Construction Equipment, who will test 5G technology on automation and remote controlled machines at their research and development unit in Eskilstuna. Another example is Einride who, with the help of 5G technology from Ericsson and Telia, have self-driving electric trucks in use at DB Schenkers storage facility in Jönköping.

“Ericsson and Telia have a long history of driving innovation and technical development together. For that reason, we are very happy about being able to display one of the first 5G networks in the world, based on commercial and standardized products, in our shared home market. 5G is a fundamental technology for continued digitalization, and together with Telia we are solidifying our position as two global technology leaders in an upcoming mass market,” says Börje Ekholm, president and CEO at Ericsson.

The frequencies required for commercial launch of 5G in Sweden will not be available until 2020. Telia will during 2019 continue to develop 5G technology within the framework of the company’s 5G partnership program. The program provides an innovative environment where partners are given the opportunity to explore the technical and business opportunities associated with 5G. In this way, Telia wants to ensure that technology is utilized in the best possible way once 5G is launched commercially in Sweden during 2020.