PLANO, Tex. and TORONTO — Ericsson announced today Rogers Communications is the first North American service provider to join its Startup 5G program.
The program “is designed to help communications service providers (CSPs) accelerate the successful commercialization and monetization of 5G by introducing them to the right consumer innovation partners,” according to a press release. It “will also encourage 5G innovation transfer between start-ups and Rogers to create new business opportunities for both sides.”
Through the program, Rogers gains access to Ericsson’s ConsumerLab research, analytical data and worldwide network of 5G start-ups — “an exclusive list of companies developing scalable services, devices, and applications over 5G,” according to the release.
This new collaboration “further strengthens the partnership between Ericsson and Rogers, which goes back more than 30 years since the launch of wireless services in Canada.”
Rogers partnered with Ericsson as its 5G vendor in 2018 for its full network infrastructure, and the companies are collaborating on the rollout of Rogers’s 5G standalone core network.
“The Startup 5G program has the companies working together to research and develop new 5G consumer offerings such as augmented and virtual reality, digital education, e-sports and other immersive media experiences,” the release says.
“As the leader in building out the 5G ecosystem in Canada, we are always looking for new opportunities to work with top innovators, both within Canada and around the world,” said Jorge Fernandes, chief technology officer of Rogers Communications, in the release. “Through this collaboration with Ericsson Startup 5G, we can explore leading-edge offerings for our customers as we continue to provide a world-class 5G experience on Canada’s first, largest, and most reliable 5G network.”
“We are excited to welcome Rogers as the first North American operator to join our Startup 5G program,” said Jeanette Irekvist, vice-president and head of customer unit Canada at Ericsson North America.
“Our global industry knowledge and expertise has positioned us to act as matchmakers in the 5G ecosystem, introducing service providers to products and services ready to launch on a mass scale. We are using our extensive consumer research to identify the start-ups with the highest potential for success, and we are glad to have Rogers with us on this journey so that Canadians can have access to the latest innovations happening across the globe.”
Jasmeet Sethi, head of ConsumerLab, Ericsson Research, said his organization is looking forward to expanding its relationship with Rogers to co-create and test applications enhanced by 5G.
“With access to 30 global start-ups, which is expected to grow to more than 40 by the end of the year, the program offers Rogers a unique opportunity to not only leverage actionable consumer insights but connect with innovation partners to keep the momentum as a leader in 5G,” Sethi said.
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