Ericsson reveals that it has 93 5G agreements in place

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A Q&A session with Mattias Johansson, Head of Cloud Core Sales Support within Business Area Digital Services at Ericsson, reveals the current state of the company’s 5G business.

Person using 5G phone outside.
(Image credit: Ericsson)

In a recent blog post on the company’s website, Mattias Johansson, Head of Cloud Core Sales Support within Business Area Digital Services at Ericsson, has revealed some key 5G facts and figures from the first two quarters of 2020.

During Q2 of 2020, Ericsson has further strengthened its leadership within 5G, Johansson has revealed, citing recent 5G Core contracts for standalone networks. 

"Ericsson is now the only non-Chinese 5G Core supplier for Packet Core and Unified Data Management to the world’s largest operator – China Mobile."

Mattias Johansson, Ericsson.

And being cloud focused is a position that has served Ericsson well, as it has beaten its main European competitors to a number of contracts. For example, when China Mobile announced the results of its latest round of contract negotiations for the manufacture of 230,000 5G base stations in April, Ericsson won 11.5% of the contracts, whilst Nokia – which previously secured around 6% of business in China Mobile’s first phase of its 5G roll-out – got nothing. 

“Ericsson is now the only non-Chinese 5G Core supplier for Packet Core and Unified Data Management to the world’s largest operator – China Mobile,” Johansson explained. “We are also the 5G Core supplier to China Telecom. Additionally, we are the exclusive 5G Core provider to the BT network in the UK, Telefónica Deutschland and SmarTone Hong Kong.”

Being cloud native is a must

According to Johansson, mobile network operators (MNOs) are looking for a cloud-native technology leader, and want to team up with a partner that has end-to-end experience and shown proven results from live deployments.

"Now, in mid-June 2020, we have 93 5G agreements, 40 live 5G networks on four continents, and 67 Cloud Core customer contracts globally."

Mattias Johansson, Ericsson.

“Let me share some numbers,” Johansson explained in the Q&A. “Now, in mid-June 2020, we have 93 5G agreements, 40 live 5G networks on four continents, and 67 Cloud Core customer contracts globally. Looking at the standalone introduction, we have 5GC and cloud native contracts with over 25 customers and over 100 ongoing or planned Proof of Concepts and trials. We also have the most mature container-based technology, with commercial live deployments at tier-1 operators already from the first half of 2019.”

A timeline of Ericsson's achievements in 5G networking.

A timeline of Ericsson's achievements in 5G networking. (Image credit: Ericsson)

Price is also is a key focus area for Ericsson, and the company has collaborated with telecom service providers, universities, and research and development institutes, to make Ericsson as competitive as possible when it comes to cost.

“Our cloud native dual-mode 5G Core and unique software deployment model secures outstanding total cost of ownership,” Johansson explained. “Also, with network exposure in 5G Core, we help CSPs to target the emerging 5G business, including enterprises, by levering our open, programmable and high performing core network.”

Dan Oliver
Dan Oliver

Dan is a British journalist with 20 years of experience in the design and tech sectors, producing content for the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, Dell and The Sunday Times. In 2012 he helped launch the world's number one design blog, Creative Bloq. Dan is now editor-in-chief at 5Gradar, where he oversees news, insight and reviews, providing an invaluable resource for anyone looking to stay up-to-date with the key issues facing 5G.