UAE’s Etisalat joins Ericsson startup 5G program

UAE-based telco Etisalat partnered up on Wednesday with Swedish telecoms vendor Ericsson through a global 5G program that is designed to help communications service providers (CSPs) accelerate 5G commercialization and monetization. 

Ericsson’s program seeks to foster innovation around 5G technologies between startups and Etisalat to mutually create new business opportunities in the market. 

Through this collaboration, Etisalat will receive a list of companies that develop services, devices, and applications over 5G, to cooperate with. This will allow the UAE- based telco to upgrade the mobile broadband connectivity and enhance their consumer behavior.  

Startup 5G program will allow the participating startups to connect with experts from Ericsson ConsumerLab, an initiative that provides insights on market and consumer trends. A move that will help the startups to validate their 5G services and concepts and grow. 

In a  joint statement Jasmeet Sethi, research’s head of ConsumerLab, explained pair plans to create and test applications enhanced by 5G.  

“With access to 22 global startups which is expected to grow to more than 40 by end of the year, the program offers Etisalat a unique opportunity to not only leverage actionable consumer insights but also connect with innovation partners to emerge as a frontrunner in their markets,” said Sethi.  

In parallel, Khaled Elkhouly Chief Consumer Officer at Etisalat considered the program as a chance that will amplify the use of these futuristic services, target new opportunities, and implement 5G use cases across verticals.  

“This collaboration will give us the opportunity to introduce new partners and offerings to customers in the UAE as we continue to work to provide unparalleled 5G services,” Etisalat spokesperson added.  

Aside from this partnership, it seems that the gulf telco is aiming to excel in the digital ecosystem as it announced merely two weeks ago plans to develop 6G technology.