Three Sweden has activated its Ericsson-powered 5G SA (Standalone) network to deliver programmable connectivity and network slicing to enterprise clients.
The operator’s activation of 5G SA architecture represents a hardware and software evolution rather than a simple speed upgrade. Powered by Ericsson, this commercial launch moves the operator away from 4G dependencies toward a fully cloud-native model.
Programmable connectivity
The value of this deployment lies in the architectural adjustment to a software-driven model. By decoupling the 5G core from legacy LTE anchors, the network allows for differentiated connectivity services.
Network slicing partitions the physical infrastructure into virtual networks, enabling Three Sweden to configure slices for specific enterprise requirements. Instead of best-effort public connectivity, businesses can secure capabilities needed for mission-essential operations. A logistics company or manufacturing facility can procure a ‘slice’ with guaranteed uptime and throughput tailored to their specific applications.
Rajib Eklund, CITO of 3 Skandinavien, commented: “The launch of our 5G Standalone network is a crucial step forward in delivering enhanced services to our customers, and I am proud that we at Three are the first in Sweden to be able to offer this.
“Ericsson’s 5G technology allows us to significantly improve network efficiency and create tailored connectivity solutions to meet the diverse needs of Swedish businesses and people.”
5G SA Fixed Wireless Access for enterprises operating in Sweden
Three Sweden is positioning 5G SA Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) as a priority. For organisations managing remote branch offices or temporary work sites, FWA offers a high-capacity, secure broadband alternative to the time-consuming process of laying physical cables.
This capability supports sectors requiring rapid site deployment, where traditional fibre installation timelines often delay operational readiness. The network effectively extends coverage and capacity to urban subscribers while simultaneously targeting these business-focused use cases.
The technical foundation for these services involves Ericsson’s cloud-native 5G Core and Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions. The transition followed comprehensive trials of the technology by both companies prior to the commercial launch in December 2025. This testing period validated the stability of the programmable architecture before exposing it to live commercial traffic.
Energy and scalability
Evaluating technology investments now requires an analysis of environmental impact and energy consumption. 5G SA architecture is designed to offer better scalability and efficiency than its predecessors. Specifically, the new infrastructure delivers improvements in energy efficiency per gigabyte.
As data demands grow – driven by IoT and digital services – the ability to handle higher traffic volumes without a linear increase in energy usage helps align network expansion with corporate sustainability targets.
Niclas Backlund, Head of Sweden and the Baltics at Ericsson, said: “We are proud to partner with Three Sweden to make their 5G SA strategy and vision a reality. Powered by Ericsson technology end-to-end, this deployment will help Three Sweden to drive productivity, sustainability, and innovation across sectors.”
Enterprises should assess their mobile connectivity contracts and hardware compatibility. Devices must be 5G SA compatible to utilise the standalone core, and IT leaders should verify if their current mobile fleet supports this standard. Furthermore, organisations with strict latency requirements – such as those in automated manufacturing or real-time logistics – can now open dialogues regarding Service Level Agreements (SLAs) based on network slicing.
Three Sweden’s activation of 5G SA indicates a broader industry trajectory where connectivity becomes a programmable asset rather than a static utility. For business leaders, the priority is now identifying which business processes can be optimised through dedicated low-latency network slices.
See also: Verizon integrates AI into network operations and edge infrastructure
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