Sweden’s second and third largest mobile operators by subscribers have agreed a deal to build a joint nationwide 5G network. The aim of the new project is to provide the first customers with fully-functioning 5G technology from 2020. Both Tele2 and Telenor already share 2G and 4G infrastructure in Sweden via their joint company, Net4Mobility, which was set up in 2009 and has enabled the pair to offer 4G services to 99% of the population. The move to 5G is seen as the next step.
‘The advantages of two parties joining forces to develop a 5G network are not solely financial. It also gives us tremendous benefits in terms of how quickly and flexibly we can work when the network is actually rolled out,’ said Samuel Skott, CEO of Tele2 Sweden. Telenor Sweden CEO, Patrick Hofbauer added: ‘With an early rollout of 5G, we can meet a need for high performance and capacity, and ensure Sweden will continue to be at the cutting edge of technology.’