BT and Ericsson join forces to build 5G

Telecoms company BT and Ericsson have struck a multi-million-pound partnership. This partnership is to offer private 5G networks to businesses across Britain, by enabling them to deploy Internet of Things and other technologies quickly with high security. The private 5G networks mirror public 5G. But in these private networks the connectivity is limited to a group of devices in a dedicated space. For example, a factory, a port or a campus, where 5G’s security and ultra-low latency can be fully utilised.
Marc Overton, managing director for BT’s Division X, Enterprise, said that the British company was working with Sweden’s Ericsson. Their works are on both in deploying and operating the networks. These partners have already worked together on several major projects incorporating private 5G networks, such as Belfast Harbour in Northern Ireland.
They have installed a 5G private network across 35 acres of operational port. Overton said that they are now in phase two of the project. Teleoperation of heavy plant machinery, artificial reality (AR), enhanced video AI analytics and the use of drones for surveillance and inspections coms under this phase. The partners will focus on deploying 5G technology in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, transport and logistics, large shopping centres or stadiums, and ports.