Telenor selects Ericsson to start building the future 5G radio network in Norway

Telenor selects Ericsson to start building the future 5G radio network in Norway

(PRESS RELEASE) FORNEBU, 13-Dec-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — Telenor selects Ericsson to modernise and build the its 5G radio access network (RAN), completing its vendor selection process for the future network in Norway.

Sigve Brekke, CEO of Telenor Group commented: “We expect 5G to be the one technology that will transform our society the most in the next decade. We have been through a thorough process to evaluate all the main vendors’ ability to deliver on Telenor’s requirements for the future mobile network. When selecting the vendor for the radio access network, we have considered important factors like technical quality, ability to innovate and modernise the network, commercial terms and conditions, as well as carried out an extensive security evaluation. Based on the comprehensive and holistic evaluation, we have decided to introduce a new partner for this important technology shift in Norway.”

In the forefront of modernisation

Petter-Børre Furberg, CEO of Telenor Norway said: “We are happy to announce that we have chosen Ericsson to start building the future 5G radio network in Norway, and I am confident we now are perfectly positioned to be in the forefront of the country’s network modernisation. As the first mobile operator on 5G in Scandinavia, Telenor will ramp up the roll out of 5G to our customers in Norway in 2020. The full modernisation of the mobile network in Norway is an ambitious undertaking, and something we are excited to get started on.”

Due to the fact that the modernisation will take 4-5 years, Telenor will use existing equipment from RAN vendor Huawei to maintain the 4G network and also upgrade to 5G coverage in selected areas of Norway. This way, Telenor Norway’s customers will continue to enjoy a fast and reliable mobile network during the modernisation and are ensured to have the most optimal user experience.

The outer layer of the mobile network, is represented by the radio access network, ensuring the end customer connectivity. The inner layer, represented by the core network, is being upgraded through agreements with Nokia and Ericsson, as previously announced. the services to the customers are produced at the core network and are delivered over the radio access network. Telenor Norway planned, operated and managed the full mobile network, including core.

Piloting the network of the future

In Norway, Telenor has already started the process of building 5G in the city of Trondheim, after recently having launched Scandinavia’s largest 5G pilot at Elverum.

Telenor has launched 5G pilots in a number of locations in the Nordics and Asia since 2018. the main network vendors carried out The testing to evaluate what different technology solutions are available, and to identify Telenor’s own requirements for the new 5G network. Right now, 5G trials are being carried out by the Telenor Group in ten locations in Norway as well as selected areas in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Thailand and Malaysia.

The 5G technology can open up new possibilities for both consumers, businesses and the society as a whole.

Petter-Børre Furberg added: “Telenor’s network for the future will give Norwegians access to products and services that have never before been available. With 5G we get fiber optic speed over the mobile network.”

For more information, please contact:

Hanne Knudsen, VP, Telenor Group Communications
M: +4790804015 | hanne.knudsen@telenor.com

SOURCE: Telenor Group