Ericsson has launched Startup 5G, a program designed to help communications service providers (CSPs) to capture the consumer potential of 5G. Three Ireland is the first CSP to join the global initiative.
Ericsson Startup 5G aims to help CSPs to accelerate the commercialization and monetization of 5G by introducing them to consumer innovation partners and supporting the development of a go-to-market strategy to address part of an estimated global USD 3.7 trillion business opportunity within the 5G consumer market.
Three Ireland will be able to tap into Ericsson’s ConsumerLab research and analytical data, as well as gaining exclusive access to a worldwide network of 5G startups. The collaboration further strengthens the partnership between Ericsson and Three Ireland, with the companies working together to research and develop new 5G consumer offerings such as augmented and virtual realities, digital education, e-sports and other immersive media experiences.
Elaine Carey, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Three Ireland and UK, says:
“At Three Ireland we are committed to providing our customers with a better connected life and we are building a 5G network that delivers the very best experience regardless of where you are in the country.”
“In supporting this, the collaboration and partnership with Ericsson in our 5G consumer offerings has been established, grown and developed over the last two years, and has now reached a new level as we join their Startup 5G program. Three Ireland will now be in a fantastic position to introduce exciting new partners and offerings to customers in the Irish market, demonstrating our commitment to 5G innovation, and our customers.”
Ericsson Startup 5G gives CSPs access to a curated list of companies that develop scalable services, devices and applications over 5G. By bundling and offering such value-add services, CSPs can differentiate the customer experience over 5G, ultimately changing the usage behaviour and demand for mobile connectivity.
The ambition is to grow the program to a full catalogue of 5G applications and services that spans multiple consumer segments.
The program hosts a variety of innovative companies from across the world and is continuously expanding. Startup 5G helps member startups to evolve their business by connecting them with CSPs around the world, providing exposure in major technology events, and sharing our own technical and strategic know-how.
When enrolling new companies in the program, Ericsson are looking for scalability, a unique value proposition and the potential to differentiate a 5G experience and commercial readiness. This means CSPs can pick and integrate off-the-shelf 5G B2C solutions in their offerings in no time.
Jasmeet Singh Sethi, Head of ConsumerLab, Ericsson Research, says:
“We are delighted to have Three Ireland as the first operator in the world to join this exciting initiative. With over 20 global 5G startups as part of the program and an ambition to double this by end of 2021, the program offers service providers the ability to deliver exciting new 5G digital services for consumers by collaborating with ecosystem players.
Three Ireland will be among the front runners globally to provide these compelling new services to the Irish market.”
