Ericsson delivers US-manufactured 5G base station to Verizon
Networking technology multinational Ericsson has delivered its first ever US-manufactured 5G base station to telecommunications giant Verizon.
Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson, said in a press release: “As the most advanced platform for innovation, 5G will enable a transformation across enterprises –as we’re now experiencing in our own smart factories. Automation and remote operations have become more important, and we’re working with our customers to make them available for the benefit of industries. From producing the first 5G base stations at our 5G USA Smart Factory earlier this year, we’ve made our first commercial delivery to Verizon. That’s just the beginning.”
The millimeter-wave Street Macro solution was manufactured in the company’s Texas smart factory, and is intended for complex city environments. Ericsson’s factory began operating in march, and is intended to be fully operational by the year’s end.
“Ericsson’s smart factory is a cornerstone of our collaboration as we work together to bring 5G to our consumer, enterprise and public safety customers,” said Kyle Malady, Chief Technology Officer of Verizon. “Together these types of innovation will accelerate our 5G deployments, as we expand our 5G leadership in technology and continue to rapidly build the ecosystem with our partners.”
The news comes as countries are renewing their focuses on 5G infrastructure due to national security concerns. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom, under pressure from the United States, U-turned on its decision to have Chinese company Huawei involved in 5G infrastructure, saying that all mobile providers are banned from purchasing from Huawei from the end of the year, and that all existing Huawei infrastructure must be removed from their networks by 2027.
As if the technology wasn’t having a rough enough ride already, baseless conspiracy theories have linked 5G cell phone towers to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That’s in turn led to a spate of arson attacks.
(Image: Ericsson)
