Swedish vendor Ericsson and Azerbaijani communications service provider Azercell have signed a three-year 5G Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) spanning the joint deployment of 5G projects, trials, and use cases, the former said in a release.
Ericsson and Azercell have already partnered to deliver a test 5G network in the city center of the capital, Baku, and a pre-commercial 5G pilot zone in the popular Fountains Square area of downtown Baku.
The 2020-22 MoU stipulates the extension of the pilot zone, including 5G use cases, as well as the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the mining industry, agriculture, manufacturing, housing and communal services.
Vahid Mursaliyev, President, Azercell Telecom, said: “Together with Ericsson, Azercell has launched the first 5G pilot network in the country and this fact puts our company on a par with the world leaders of the mobile market. We believe that 5G along with being a major step forward for mobile internet connectivity, will also open new possibilities for enterprises and industries to deliver greater efficiencies, productivity and empower user experiences.”
Sebastian Tolstoy, Head of Customer Unit Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ericsson, said: “Together with our key partner in Azerbaijan, Azercell, we are happy to open doors to wider opportunities, innovative solutions, and applications that 5G can bring.’’
In related news, Ericsson recently announced that Australian telco Optus launched both mobile “on the go” and 5G in the home offerings.
Ericsson 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products and solutions from Ericsson Radio System have been rolled out as part of Optus’ 5G network, the vendor said.
“We are pleased to be working with Optus to help them roll out 5G across Australia. This announcement cements Ericsson’s 5G leadership in Australia and endorses our global leadership as we continue to switch on this era-defining technology around the world to drive the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0. artificial intelligence, digitalized society, and incredible new mobile broadband experiences,” said Martin Wiktorin, head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei and Philippines and Global Customer Unit Singtel.
Ericsson is extending its relationship with Optus for 5G, beyond the initial 50 sites announced in February, to help deliver 5G to its customers across Australia.
With these deals, Ericsson currently has more than 75 commercial 5G agreements or contracts with unique communication service providers, of which 24 are live networks.
Some key customers include AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile US, US Cellular, Verizon, Swisscom, TDC, Telenor, Vodafone UK, Wind , Etisalat, Optus, Ooredoo, STC, KT, SK Telecom and Telstra.
