2degrees partner

2degrees has named its primary technology partner for its 5G mobile network upgrade: Ericsson. The Swedish company will provide both the radio access network or “edge” (celltower components) and core (brains) of 2degrees’ 5G network — which will go live in parts of Auckland and Wellington at an un-named time later this year. It replaces the incumbent Huawei, which was effectively sidelined from all 5G upgrade business in New Zealand after the GCSB barred the Chinese company from Spark’s mobile network upgrade. Spark replaced Huawei with a mix of Nokia Networks and Samsung equipment for the edge of its network, while retaining Ericsson and US company Cisco for its core for its 5G mobile upgrade.