LONDON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Ericsson said on
Wednesday it had been selected by Britain's BT to provide
5G radio equipment in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and
other major UK cities, building on the contract it signed
earlier this year for core technology.
The contract comes after the British government said in July
it would ban China's Huawei Technologies from any presence in
the country's 5G networks by the end of 2027.
Once the deployment is completed, Ericsson will manage
around 50% of BT's 5G traffic, the Swedish company said, adding
that it will also modernise the company's existing 2G and 4G
radio networks.
Ericsson President and Chief Executive Borje Ekholm said the
win strengthened the company's relationship with BT.
"By deploying 5G in these key areas, we are yet again
demonstrating our technology leadership in population-dense and
high-traffic locations," he said.
BT signed a contract with Ericsson rival Nokia
last month to provide 5G radio equipment for multiple towns and
cities across Britain, as well as rural locations.
BT was using Huawei radio equipment in the roll out of its
next generation mobile network.
The value of the Ericsson contract was not disclosed.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Susan Fenton)
BT (BT.A)
