Telia said the new local dedicated 5G networks will be deployed in five strategically important locations for Sweden
Swedish telco Telia said it has obtained funding from the European Union (EU) to build dedicated 5G networks in five locations across the country.
The Nordic carrier noted that these advanced networks will carry a number of projects for digital innovation in areas such as transport and logistics, agriculture and healthcare, Telia said.
Telia’s new local dedicated 5G networks will be deployed in five strategically important locations for Sweden, such as the Ultuna agricultural testbed, Luleå Harbour, Boden Industrial Park, Skellefteå Smart City and hospitals in the Stockholm region.
With funding of 3 million euros ($3.30 million), the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Telia and other partners, will establish networks and lead digitization projects in four of the strategic locations. Primarily in northern Sweden and with a focus on more efficient transport and logistics, making ports safer, managing traffic in cities and more sustainable agriculture. Connected and self-driving vehicles, drones and agricultural robots are examples of new technical solutions that will be used in the projects, the operator said.
Also, EU funds of 6.4 million euros have also been allocated to a new project where the Stockholm region and Telia with partners will establish networks and explore how advanced 5G services can contribute to increased patient safety, quality and accessibility in healthcare. The project focuses, among other things, on video communication between ambulance and emergency department, drones with defibrillators and video communication from the scene of an accident, real-time positioning of medical equipment and property management of hospitals with the support of sensors and 5G technology, by installing 5G indoor networks in one of Region Stockholm’s hospitals.
“The new EU funds pave the way for decisive investments in 5G in several important sectors of society where we bring together business, the public sector and academia in strong ecosystems and partnerships. The networks we are rolling out have the latest 5G technology and will also be used within the framework of our innovation program NorthStar with Ericsson – who possess technical capabilities that are crucial to the introduction of digital solutions on a broad front in these areas. It can create concrete benefits and customer value for both society, business and individual, such as more efficient transport, greener agriculture and better care,” said Magnus Leonhardt, head of strategy and innovation for Telia’s corporate business.
The projects will last for three years. In order to test the new innovations that are promoted via these projects, all local networks that are built will be connected to the specially developed 5G network that is operated via the innovation program NorthStar.
In February, Telia and Ericsson announced the launch of NorthStar, a 5G innovation program for industrial enterprises, to support the development and implementation of new digital solutions.
NorthStar aims to accelerate the 5G adoption and transformation of industries. The program will initially focus on customers’ innovation and R&D units in the automotive and transportation sectors. Participating companies will have access to the tools and resources needed, like network slicing and positioning.
