From Design to Manufacture, Ericsson Planting its 5G Flag in the U.S.

August 14, 2018

To support the accelerated build out of 5G in the United States, Ericsson is increasing its research and development work done close to customers and shortening the timeline for new product introduction and product delivery to customers.

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, said in a press release, “The United States is our largest market, accounting for a quarter of Ericsson’s business over the last seven years. To serve the demand of these fast-moving service providers, we are strengthening our investment in the United States to be even closer to our customers and meet their accelerated 5G deployment plans.”

In late 2017, Ericsson opened the Austin ASIC Design Center in Austin, Texas, to focus on core microelectronics of 5G radio base stations. Ericsson also will open a new software development center with baseband focus in 2018, employing more than 200 software engineers once fully operational. Additionally, Ericsson will increase its investment in artificial intelligence and automation, employing around 100 specialists in North America by the end of 2018.

Beginning in 2019, both of these facilities will introduce 5G products and software features into the Ericsson portfolio.

Ericsson will recruit a dedicated team to work specifically on introducing products for the U.S. market, conducting production engineering, testing/integration and supply preparations on early prototypes.

Ericsson will also begin manufacturing in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2018, which will provide volume production of next-generation radios and the fast introduction of new products into the U.S. market.