An invitation from Chinese mobile operators for Ericsson to participate in their 5G equipment test could be the last chance for Sweden to withdraw its decision to exclude Chinese firms from participating in Swedish 5G construction, a source close to the matter told Chinese state-owned English language newspaper Global Times. The source said that taking part in the test does not automatically mean that Ericsson will be hired.
Swedish communications regulator PTS held an auction of 5G frequencies in January, after declaring in October 2020 that Huawei and ZTE would not be allowed to supply equipment for 5G networks, citing security concerns. Sweden’s Administrative Court upheld the PTS decision. Huawei appealed against that ruling but the Supreme Administrative Court rejected Huawei’s appeal.
PTS also said in October that any products from Huawei and ZTE on existing infrastructure for central functions to provide services in the 5G bands must be phased out by 01 January 2025 at the latest. In late April, an oral hearing took place at the Administrative Court regarding the terms for the allocation of the 3.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands and this matter is now continuing via correspondence. The parties in the two cases to be heard were PTS and Huawei.
According to the Global Times, China Telecom, China Unicom, China Mobile and China Broadcasting Network are organising 5G equipment testing. Suppliers including Huawei, ZTE, Ericsson, Nokia and other domestic and foreign telecommunications suppliers have participated.
Global Times cited industry analysts as saying this round of 5G tests could be critical to Ericsson's businesses in China, as bidding for RAN equipment accounts for a large proportion of 5G spending. The invitation to Ericsson is just an "interview opportunity" rather than a final call of "hiring", said the source, according to an article on the newspaper’s website.
Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Information Consumption Alliance, told the Global Times that China has been providing a fair environment for Ericsson's operations in China, despite the Huawei issue, adding that Ericsson and Nokia together have accounted for about 15-20 percent of China's 5G market so far.
