Deal includes development of 5G technologies and products
Swedish vendor Ericsson and Spain-based telecom group Telefónica signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of “5G” technologies, products and services.
The two companies said they will jointly support ongoing and new initiatives designed to boost the development of next-generation mobile technologies and the entrepreneurial environment in which they can evolve, with specific focus on the 5G PPP and ETP Networld 2020 programs, both promoted by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 program.
The Spanish telco created a 5G laboratory through its innovation unit, Telefónica I+D and IMDEA Networks Institute in Spain. The laboratory is designed to create an open ecosystem for innovation and research. Ericsson is the first manufacturer to join the initiative as part of its 5G for Europe program.
“5G is an evolution journey, and the transition will be gradual with deployment of complete, commercial 5G systems not expected until 2020. To achieve the expected capabilities of 5G, investments in joint research and trialling of 5G technologies must continue,” said Ericsson CTO Ulf Ewaldsson.
“Telefonica continues advancing its role as a key player in the development of 5G technologies, where we have been actively contributing to relevant international projects, industry associations and standardization bodies,” added Telefonica CTO Enrique Blanco. “Through this agreement, and initiatives like 5TONIC laboratory in Spain, we will be able to trial and prioritize network functions and services that will become part of the 5G networks in the near future.”
Under the terms of the partnership, Telefonica and Ericsson will carry out joint initiatives including research, debate, field-testing, and demonstrations of technology and equipment to support eventual 5G network architecture, communications, services and applications.
