Telia Company said it will modernize its mobile network in Norway and gradually introduce 5G coverage.
Telia Company will start to upgrade its 2G and 4G networks in the next four years to enhance coverage in the country with the highest data speeds. Telia will also introduce 5G services in Norway, beginning in the enterprise sector.
Ericsson, its 5G network supplier, said Telia’s 5G network rollout will begin in 2020, and 5G commercial services will be available in 2021. Ericsson and Telia aim to provide nationwide 5G coverage in Norway by end of 2023. Telia’s statement did not reveal specific details about the 5G plans.
“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. Speed, low latency, guaranteed capacity and truly mobile is going to push the boundaries of digitalization,” Christian Luiga, acting President and CEO of Telia Company, said.
In June 2019 Telia Company secured access to 2×10 MHz in the 700 MHz band which will be a key enabler for roll-out of 5G in Norway. The band will be available from November 1, 2019.
Ericsson
Telia has selected Ericsson as its sole 5G radio access network (RAN) vendor for its next-generation nationwide network in Norway.
Telia’s engineers will deploy hardware and software products and solutions from Ericsson Radio System, including 5G New Radio (5G NR), across the network. Ericsson will also modernize Telia Norway’s radio network as part of the move to 5G, including deployment of the Ericsson Spectrum Sharing software to enable Telia to share its spectrum between 4G and 5G use.
Telia Norway is exploring the potential of 5G to enable new opportunities including in the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, for enterprises, the home, and smart cities, according to Arun Bansal, president of Europe and Latin America, Ericsson.
Telia and Ericsson are partnering on 5G pilot network in Trondheim, Norway, incorporating smart transport, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities, said Abraham Foss, CEO of Telia Norway.
Ericsson is currently live with commercial 5G in 19 customer networks across 15 countries, spanning four continents.
