Ericsson, Nokia sign 5G deals with Chinese carriers

Global telecommunications vendors Ericsson and Nokia signed framework deals with Chinese mobile carriers during the ongoing CIIE for network upgrades and 5G construction.

Nokia scored deals worth a combined value of 15.7 billion yuan (US$2.24 billion) from China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. It signed 2020 framework deals covering network upgrades, 5G and related services. Nokia are willing to offer products and services for China’s “digital transformation,” the Finland-based company said.

Sweden-based Ericsson also signed 2020 framework agreements with the three Chinese mobile carriers, although it did not reveal their value. Ericsson announced 27 5G contracts by the end of October, Shanghai Daily learned at its CIIE booth. 

China started commercial use of 5G this month, which will bring more market opportunities to vendors like Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia and ZTE, analysts said.

China is likely to invest US$184 billion in 5G by 2025 — half of Asia’s total 5G budget of US$370 billion. Some 28 percent of China’s mobile connections is expected to be on 5G networks by 2025, accounting for about a third of all 5G connections globally, according to industry association GSMA.