Ericsson Regional Connect | Issue 4 – Fall/Winter 2021

Issue 4 | Fall/Winter 2021

Featured articles

Five ways to a better 5G Accelerate your network to 5G Core Monetizing 5G with an SMB cloud solution

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Table of contents

Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

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Welcome to Regional Connect

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Introducing Experience Center Live!

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Virtual sessions take center stage at CCA MCS

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Meet the experts: Stefan Calmerman and Emre Ari

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Bringing new opportunities to America’s “Last Frontier” since 1979

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Building strong communities through technology and service

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Five ways for a better 5G: key trends impacting consumer adoption, usage and perception

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Accelerate your network to 5G Core

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Monetizing 5G with a small-to-medium business cloud solution for today’s flexible workforce

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Ask the experts

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Do you have a success story you’d like to share? Has your enterprise had an impact in your community?

Contact your Ericsson account representative to be featured in the next issue of “Regional Connect Magazine.”

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Shentel supports deserving communities through employee engagement and friendly competition

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Ericsson brings 5G-enabled smart manufacturing to the U.S.

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Why Ericsson?

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Customers and partners, Welcome to the Fall/Winter issue of Regional Connect magazine. As the Interim Head of Customer Unit Regional Carriers, I have enjoyed getting to know more of you over the last several months. As the search for a permanent Customer Unit Head continues, I remain committed to helping you bring unparalleled service to the communities you serve.

I hope you enjoy this issue, which focuses on community updates, hot topic technologies and member accomplishments—all centered around the foundation of Regional Connect.

Connect We introduce you to two of our partners, GCI and UScellular. You’ll also meet Emre Ari, Director of Technical Solutions, and Stefan Calmerman, Vice President of Network Evolution, and learn that there may just be a Regional Carriers Band on the horizon!

Share We share five ways to a better 5G, an Ericsson ConsumerLab insight report, plus we explain how a 5G core can accelerate your network.

Serve We spotlight Shentel’s commitment to its community through The Big Give Program and feature the Ericsson 5G Smart Factory, which is bringing smart manufacturing to the U.S. I appreciate your partnership, trust and continued business.

Anand Akundi Interim Head of Customer Unit Regional Carriers, Ericsson

Ericsson’s new purpose and vision imagines the possibilities of limitless connectivity The future is looking better and brighter than ever, and to capture the emerging opportunities we’ve launched a new purpose and vision.

Check out this video to see how we’re continuing to make the unimaginable possible with support from our valued partners.

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Connect

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Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

Experience Center Live!

May 18 and 25, 2021 | Virtual

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Introducing Experience Center Live!

Spring 2021 marked the debut of Experience Center Live! – a new talk show-style event broadcast from the Ericsson Experience Center in Plano, Texas.

Visit the Ericsson Experience Center online to explore these solutions and watch the recorded sessions.

The show featured two live sessions hosted by key members of the Ericsson Regional Carrier Customer Unit team: Anand Akundi, Vice President of Wireless Sales; Bill Chotiner, Chief Technology Officer; and Surya Bommakanti, Chief Information Officer.

The first session centered on monetization. It began with a visit to the Ericsson Advanced Technology Lab, where Director Keith Shank and his colleagues demonstrated several innovative land, sea and air solutions that are available now for a variety of applications.

The second session was all about efficiency in network operations. From intelligent site engineering and smart connected sites to performance-enhancing uplink boosters and energy-saving infrastructures powered by artificial intelligence, our speakers revealed a variety of ways Ericsson is helping customers simplify the complex.

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Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

CCA Mobile Carrier Show March 30-31, 2021 | Virtual

Virtual sessions take center stage at CCA MCS Ericsson talks 5G monetization and future innovation

The Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) Mobile Carriers Show (MCS) took place virtually this past spring, and once again, Ericsson was there to showcase our latest innovations and take part in thought-provoking conversations.

Keynote presentation: network monetization Anand Akundi, Vice President of Wireless Sales in the Ericsson Regional Carrier Customer Unit, delivered the MCS opening keynote on the morning of March 30.

Focusing on new services and verticals for both consumers and commercial enterprises, Akundi discussed several strategies for driving revenue through 5G technology, including wireless WAN connectivity, wireless office capabilities and the use of private networks.

Upcoming event WISPAPALOOZA 2021 October 11-14, 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada

Imagining the future of 5G In the FierceWireless keynote panel discussion, titled “New Frontiers for 5G,” Greg Rogers, Vice President of Mobile Broadband for Ericsson North America, joined other industry thought leaders in exploring new ways to tap the potential of 5G technology beyond individual devices.

The group focused on answering questions in several key areas, including mid-band 5G deployment, 5G broadband availability in households, mobile app capabilities and the afterlife of 4G.

Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

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Meet the experts

Ericsson’s “Regional Connect Magazine” recently visited with two esteemed colleagues­—Emre Ari, Director of Technical Solutions, and Stefan Calmerman, Vice President of Network Evolution. We discussed how they developed their expertise and how they serve our regional carriers around the country, and learned that there may just be a Regional Carriers Band on the horizon.

Q: Stefan, what drew you to engineering?

A: I’ve always been an engineer—since I was a child, actually. I always liked to play with things, take them apart, see how they work, and so on. I started out as a mechanical engineer, and then I realized the future was in electrical engineering. So, I switched over to become an electrical engineer.

Q: Emre, what do you see as the most important thing you can do to help the regional carriers?

A: The most important thing that I can do to help the regional carriers is to understand their solution needs and requirements and help them develop the most optimal solution. And that solution should not only address their current needs but also their future needs. And it should be compatible with a future Ericsson or third-party integration that will allow them to have a flexible solution.

Watch the video to learn what else Emre and Stefan are passionate about.

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Bringing new opportunities to America’s “Last Frontier” since 1979 GCI is proud to serve its fellow Alaskans by delivering infrastructure that supports business, industry, education and healthcare across the state.

We spoke to Maureen Moore, Chief Customer Experience Officer at GCI, to learn about the company’s humble beginnings and ambitious vision for the future.

Q: When did your business begin?

A: GCI began in 1979, when company cofounders Ron Duncan and Bob Walp teamed up to bring competition into Alaska’s long-distance market.

Q: What is your origin story?

A: In many ways, GCI was the original Alaska start-up, and Ron Duncan was Alaska’s first tech entrepreneur. Ron came to Alaska in the late 70s after graduating from Harvard Business School. There, he connected with Bob Walp to form GCI, which they launched from a small apartment in downtown Anchorage.

Ron’s keen business acumen perfectly complemented Bob’s technical expertise. Bob was literally a rocket scientist. He worked for NASA in the 70s, building out remote communications networks in South America. Bob believed he could apply those same strategies in Alaska. He felt Alaskans who lived in rural communities deserved better connectivity, and he set out to do something about it. Because of Ron and Bob’s vision, GCI made communications investments in places where, in many cases, no other company would or could.

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And what has that progress looked like? Since GCI’s start in 1979, we have grown dramatically. We now have approximately 1,900 employees. We’ve invested more than $3 billion over the past four decades, demonstrating our commitment to infrastructure that supports businesses, industry, education and healthcare across the state.

Q: What are your company’s core values?

A: GCI strives to provide Alaska with top-notch service for all their communications needs, wherever and whenever they need it. Through these values, GCI has helped Alaska buck the typical narrative that Alaska is behind the times and that the state we call home lacks connectivity. In fact, due in large part to these core values, GCI has kept Alaska at the forefront of the industry. In recent years, this meant the delivery of 5G technology and access to 1 gig internet speeds that rank among the best in the nation.

Soon, we’ll deliver 2 gig internet speeds to Alaskans, and we’re among the first telecoms in the nation to formally announce our path to 10 gig.

Q: What should we know about your company that most people probably don’t know?

A: Though our services are only available in Alaska, that still means we serve an area roughly one-third the geographic size of the entire Lower 48. GCI services are available in more than 200 communities that range in size from a couple dozen residents to more than 300,000. And we employ Alaskans in

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nearly every one of those communities.

We may only serve one state, but it’s a massive state that is incredibly complex­—and sometimes difficult— to serve, but we at GCI are more than up to the challenge.

Q: What is something you’ve worked on with Ericsson that has made you proud?

A: GCI is proud to be longtime partners with Ericsson. Together, we have connected an incredible number of Alaskans. Most recently, we worked together to deliver Alaska’s first 5G service in Anchorage. Combining GCI’s flagship metro fiber network and substantial radio spectrum holdings with Ericsson’s industryleading technology, we beat our competitors to the punch and set the bar for 5G service in Alaska’s largest community. And that’s an effort we’re in the process of expanding to other Alaska communities.

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What are you excited about with your recent evolution to 5G?

A: We are, of course, ecstatic about the faster data speeds, lower latency and improved coverage that 5G provides. But what we’re most excited about are the possibilities. 5G is such a new technology that we’re still working to unlock its full potential.

5G will pave the way for new, nowunknown applications and services in the same way 3G and 4G LTE made possible telehealth services and ridesharing apps. With 5G comes new opportunities, such as smart cities and innovation in Alaska.

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Q: What is the primary area you serve?

Why did you begin serving this area?

A: GCI primarily serves Alaska. The business started with the idea of bringing competition to Alaska’s longdistance market. Obviously that goal has evolved—and it has kept Alaska at the forefront of communications technology for the better part of the past four decades. And that’s a position we intend to keep.

Q: Tell us about your community.

A: Alaska’s approximately 730,000 residents are about as diverse as they come, from the Alaska Native people who have called this state home for thousands of years, to immigrant populations that came to Alaska seeking refuge, to the many, many others who moved here in search of adventure or ways to provide for their families. Alaska is home to all.

While tourism plays a key role in the economies of many communities, our lifeblood is largely in the resource development sector—like oil and gas, mining, and fisheries.

Q: What do you like about serving your community?

A: The people! If any customer in any of the more than 200 communities we serve were to ask this question to a GCI employee, you’d likely hear one thing in common above all else—we’re your neighbors. Our employees live, work and play in the communities we serve. And it’s a point of pride for us that from Unalaska to Utqiagvik, GCI employees are heavily involved in their communities. We are proud to call Alaska home.

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Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

Building strong communities through technology and service UScellular was founded on a business model guided by values such as respect, pride and customer focus. Nearly 40 years later, those values still stand as the backbone of the company as it delivers connectivity and 5G innovation across the country.

We spoke to Mike Irizarry, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at UScellular, to learn more.

Q: When did your business begin?

• Customer Focus—Our associates direct all their efforts to serving our customers and ensuring they have a great experience.

A: UScellular was founded in 1983 by LeRoy T. (Roy) Carlson as a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems (TDS).

Roy’s early recognition of the immense potential of cellular connectivity enabled us to become a major player in the industry.

• Ethics—We maintain a “do the right thing” mentality in every aspect of our business.

• Pride—We take pride in our company and the products and services we offer. We also take pride in having fun and achieving the goals we set for ourselves.

Q: What is your origin story?

A: When Roy founded UScellular nearly 40 years ago, he saw potential in the small towns and cities that form the backbone of the U.S. He ventured to build a wireless network from the ground up that fit the unique needs of these towns and connected residents to the world around them. Over the years, we’ve built upon that core DNA of providing a strong network and exceptional wireless experience designed for the communities we serve.

• Empowerment—Associates are empowered to make the best decisions for our company and our customers.

• Respect for Associates— Respect for each other is foundational to our culture.

• Diversity—We know that having a diverse associate base is critical to helping us provide the best wireless experience for customers in our local communities.

Q: What are your company’s core values? How does it help you serve your community?

A: At UScellular we operate within a Dynamic Organization (D.O.) model, in which our values shape our business.

The D.O. guides the way we treat each other and how we conduct ourselves.

Our core values are:

• Winning—We work to achieve superior results and to grow our customer base, revenue and profitability, while striving to be recognized as the leader in customer experience.

Our values represent what we want to be for our customers and what we want to be known for in the marketplace. We are committed to living by these values every day, and they are the foundation of our success.

Q: What should we know about your company that most people probably don’t know?

A: We are very excited to have teamed up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help students stay connected to their education. Earlier this year, we began donating wireless hot spots and service to Clubs in our communities. These services boost connectivity when youth are at the Club and are also loaned out to families to support access at home.

We want to do our part to ensure youth in our communities have the resources they need, and through these donations, we are helping provide equitable learning opportunities and keeping local students connected to their education. So far, we’ve donated 2,800 hot spots to more than 30 Clubs, and we’re just getting started. We have big plans to expand this program to support thousands more youth in the future.

Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

Q: What is something you’ve worked on with Ericsson that has made an impact?

A: Most recently, we achieved an important milestone together in extended-range 5G mmWave speeds, which will have a major impact in communities across the country.

Using Ericsson’s extended-range functionality and advanced antenna system, and with support from Qualcomm and Inseego, we reached gigabit speeds at a distance of 7 km, which at the time was the farthest 5G mmWave Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) connection in the U.S. 5G mmWave is a crucial solution to help bridge the digital divide throughout rural, suburban and urban communities and to address “last mile” connectivity challenges. By continuing this collaboration with Ericsson, we will help ensure that wireless customers, particularly in rural America, have a great wireless experience designed for their communities.

Q: What are you excited about with 5G? A: There are so many things to be excited about with 5G. 2G brought better voice transmission, along with text and MMS messages; 3G brought data mainstream and kick-started the era of apps; and 4G brought a significant speed increase. 5G promises automated cars, smart cities and speeds that can replace wired broadband connections. But the

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three areas that get me particularly excited are: Internet of Things: 5G will allow virtually anything—some experts say up to a trillion devices in the next decade—to connect to cellular networks, enabling a bigger and better Internet of Things.

Fixed wireless: In certain areas of the country, wireless connectivity may be the best option for an in-home broadband connection. With 5G’s ultra-fast speeds and low latency, wireless connections could be powerful enough to replace traditional cable and internet providers. Our recent mmWave test results back this up.

Boosting the economy: Companies such as Uber, Netflix and Snapchat really took off with the launch and spread of 4G, and those are now multibillion-dollar companies that employ thousands of people. What is the innovation that 5G will usher in that will become part of our daily lives?

Q: What is the primary area you serve?

A: We provide wireless service to consumers, businesses and governments in large and small cities across 21 states, spanning across the Midwest, Northeast, Northwest, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic areas of the country. We specialize in serving mid-sized and rural markets, and we compete and win in these areas by providing an exceptional customer experience consisting of a high-quality network, competitive products and

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services priced to offer the best value in the industry, and outstanding service in every customer interaction.

Q: Tell us about your community.

A: When we talk about serving our communities, three very important things come to mind. First is providing our communities with a high-quality network. We do that with a best-inclass group of network and engineering professionals who focus all their efforts on ensuring their communities are connected. Second, we serve our communities through our corporate social responsibility initiatives. We have a longstanding commitment of community support through donations and volunteerism, and we focus on bridging STEM education gaps for youth. Since 2009, we’ve donated more than $20.8 million, along with countless experiences and technology items, to nonprofit organizations across the country. Third, we serve our communities by providing unique experiences for them through our sponsorships and involvement in local events. In addition to being long-time sponsors of several fairs, festivals and events, we also support youth-focused organizations through our Community Connections program. Using a completely digital platform that makes it easy to earn funds, this program provides up to $1,000 sponsorships to K-12 groups such as sports teams, science clubs or marching bands for equipment, travel or other needs.

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Five ways to a better 5G Key trends impacting consumer adoption, usage and perception In this Ericsson ConsumerLab insight report—the biggest ever 5G consumer study, covering opinions of 1.3 billion consumers and 220 million 5G users—we uncover the key trends influencing the adoption, usage and perception of consumers toward 5G, and suggest five important steps service providers can take to meet consumer expectations now and in the future.

Five key report findings

1. Consumer 5G upgrade intentions rise, despite the pandemic

2. 5G triggers changes in usage behavior; starts to displace Wi-Fi

3. Indoor 5G coverage is two times more important than speed or battery life

At least 300 million smartphone users could take up 5G in 2021. By the end of 2020, 22% more smartphone users with 5G-ready smartphones could have adopted 5G if knowledge gaps had been addressed.

Compared to 4G users, 5G users spend two hours more per week using cloud gaming and one hour more on augmented reality apps. 20% say they have decreased their usage of Wi-Fi after upgrading.

Early adopters are satisfied with 5G, but indoor 5G coverage is rated more important than speed or battery life in driving satisfaction.

4. Early adopters are pleased with 5G speeds but expect more innovation

5. Consumers value 5G plans bundled with digital services and are willing to spend 20–30% more

70% are dissatisfied with the availability of innovative services and expect new applications making use of 5G.

However, two-thirds of use cases highly valued by consumers have not yet been commercialized.

Five ways to improve the 5G consumer experience 1. Enhance the value

3. Go beyond just showcases

Address the knowledge gap to educate and better market the value of 5G.

Accelerate the commercialization of existing and new use cases.

2. Provide consistent coverage

4. Adapt to the new network requirements

Consumers expect consistent quality of indoor and outdoor coverage.

5G is triggering usage of new digital services, creating new network requirements.

5. Focus on jobs that can be done with 5G Look at what consumers want to envision for new use cases.

Download the full report

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Accelerate your network to 5G Core The introduction of 5G signals the start of a new era for regional carriers, where both networks and businesses are evolving and expanding. A new business landscape is rising, in which growing numbers of capabilities are being added to the network to improve current services and address new business needs. Thus, 5G offers a real opportunity for operators to grow revenues and capture more value.

A key part of any 5G project is the introduction and journey to 5G Core (5GC) or a 5G system.

What is 5GC? 5GC is the heart of a 5G mobile network.

It establishes reliable, secure connectivity to the network for end users and provides access to its services. The core domain handles a wide variety of essential functions in the mobile network, such as connectivity and mobility management, authentication and authorization, subscriber data management and policy management, among others. 5GC network functions are completely software-based and designed as cloud-native—meaning they’re agnostic to the underlying cloud infrastructure, allowing higher deployment agility and flexibility.

With the advent of 5G, industry experts defined how the core network should evolve to support the needs of 5G New Radio (NR) and the advanced use cases enabled by it.

Together, they developed the new 3GPP standard for core networks known as 5GC. The new 5GC architecture is based on what is called a Service-Based Architecture (SBA), which implements IT network

principles and a cloud-native design approach. In this new architecture, each network function (NF) offers one or more services to other NFs via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Each NF is formed by a combination of small pieces of software code called microservices.

Some microservices can even be reused for different NFs, making implementation more effective. The use of microservices also facilitates independent lifecycle management—which allows upgrades and new functionalities to be deployed to specific microservices with zero impact on running services.

Why is 5GC needed?

You’ve probably heard about advanced 5G use cases which, thanks to ultra-low network latency and very high throughputs, will revolutionize businesses and the day-to-day lives of consumers. But none of those will be possible without 5GC. Alongside 5G NR, 5GC is a fundamental cornerstone of 5G networks.

If you would like to learn more about the advantages of 5GC and how you can evolve toward it, reach out to your Ericsson representative.

Currently, the vast majority of commercial 5G deployments are based on NR non-standalone (NSA) technology, which uses existing LTE radio access for signaling between devices and the network, and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) networks, which are enhanced to support 5G NSA. This approach allows new 5G services to be introduced quickly while maximizing the reuse of existing 4G networks. However, to unlock 5G’s full potential NR standalone (SA) and 5GC are needed.

The new 5GC architecture addresses the needs of not just today, but also the future—raising mobile communications to unprecedented levels and making it possible to digitalize entire societies.

A 5GC network will enhance user experience, simplify operations and enable agile new service creation, which will open up more enterprise and consumer opportunities for regional carriers.

To enable this, there are six topic areas to consider when building a cloud-native platform.

Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

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Six topic areas to consider when building a cloud-native platform.

5G Core

Operations and management

Network security

• Establish a core platform built on cloudnative technology, which combines EPC and 5G Core network functions

• Efficiently operate a cloud-native platform with new ways of working and evolved processes

• Safeguard networks with a secure design and monitoring to protect against external threats

• Reach deployment flexibility and TCO efficiency during the 5G migration

• Transform operations to reach the 5G network’s full potential

• Create a safe innovation ecosystem to capture new business opportunities

Cloud-native infrastructure • Deploy a system-verified cloud infrastructure solution optimized for cloud applications • Reduce risks while building this cloud platform for 5G services

5G voice

Automation and orchestration

• Leverage 4G voice solutions and enable high-quality 5G voice

• Increase network automation and orchestrate new 5G use cases

• Expand with new 5G communication service capabilities

• Reduce time to market for new service development with agile innovation

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Monetizing 5G with a small-to-medium business cloud solution for today’s flexible workforce Ericsson Wireless Office remote workspace service targets the $90B smallto-medium business (SMB) market with new opportunities for 5G revenue.

Nearly 60 percent of white-collar work is expected to happen outside the company premises by 2030.

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The global pandemic has changed the way we work and accelerated workplace digitalization. As we begin the transition to a new normal, it’s clear that enabling a more flexible and remote workforce is an IT priority moving forward. In fact, according to a 2021 Ericsson IndustryLab study, nearly 60 percent of white-collar work is expected to happen outside the company premises by 2030.1 This shift will be driven not only by changing employee expectations but also by the opportunity to save money on office space: 55 percent of SMB decision-makers are very satisfied with the ability to cut back through remote working.1 Even before the pandemic, the traditional enterprise IT model was beginning its downturn. At the same time, the appbased cloud workspace environment was starting its rise as the future of IT. As with many technologies, early virtual desktop

infrastructure and Desktop as a Service offerings had their challenges—including poor user experiences, IT complexity, hidden costs and fragmented Software as a Service capabilities. Consequently, these technologies had yet to evolve into scalable, mass-adoption models.

Today, SMBs are in search of solutions that give their employees full access to processes and productivity tools— regardless of the device they use or where they’re working from. Post-pandemic workfrom-home compliance and disclosure obligations are also putting pressure on IT leaders to quickly plan for and implement agile and secure remote work solutions in preparation for any future crises.

As technology evolves with the likes of scaling end-user compute, premium SSD storage, on-demand application provisioning and robust end-to-end security—including multi-factor

1 Ericsson Consumer & IndustryLab, ‘The future of enterprises, SMB edition’, July 2021, t.eric.sn/3nv8W2T

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authentication, zero-trust environments and geo-location-based authentication driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning automation—the resulting improvements in performance, cost and complexity make today’s remote work solutions much more appealing.

Eliminate the need for local IT and simplify relationships with technology vendors for software licensing and advanced support services, and you get Ericsson Wireless Office, a solution for the masses available through a single pane of glass.

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employees—anywhere and anytime.

Unlike its predecessors, Wireless Office simplifies software license provisioning and management of most business software titles, including Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk, QuickBooks, G-Suite and many more. It can also support line-of-business apps.

The $90B SMB market could not be more ready for a remote workspace solution that’s easy, flexible, secure and affordable.

The account administrator simply assigns employees software licenses by selecting titles from an app-store menu.

Businesses can also leverage existing licenses by selecting titles from a bringyour-own license menu. When using the remote desktop, applications appear to the end user as if they are running locally on the device.

Work from anywhere

Streamline hardware management

More than half of SMB employees agree that their respective companies have become more positive about remote working during the pandemic, and they believe these habits are here to stay.1 Wireless Office enables businesses with limited IT staff and budgets to onboard workers with access to high-performing virtual desktops, including business apps, compute, storage and redundancy—in a matter of minutes. Employees can work from anywhere using any device, regardless of operating system.

With less work taking place on company premises, businesses must be able to provide their employees with full access to processes and tools, regardless of the devices they use or whether they are in the office, at home or on the go. Traditionally, engineering and design-oriented apps required expensive machines and towers, along with local servers, to handle their heavy workloads. Mobility was the tradeoff for performance. With the recent shift to work-from-home, organizations must find a way for mobility and performance to coexist.

Simplify desktop and app delivery

Using thin clients coupled with cloud services would enable this transition, which five in ten SMB decision-makers agree would be quite beneficial for their employees.1

For many SMBs, connectivity is an issue, networks are too complex to manage and in-house IT comes with a high cost. It’s time-consuming and costly to buy and maintain IT software, hardware, networks and security.

Wireless Office removes the dependency of in-house IT expertise, physical installments and devices, while providing reliable and secure network access to

Wireless Office is a device-agnostic service that offloads the strain on local resources for better application performance. As a result, it enables businesses to replace expensive employee laptops and PCs with low-cost devices,

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extend hardware lifecycles and support bring-your-own device.

Deliver end-to-end security Security is a top technology challenge for SMBs and therefore, a priority investment area. This is especially true for companies that handle sensitive data, such as retailers requiring secure payments and healthcare providers handling private patient data.

Top investment considerations include securing data and preventing employees from downloading unknown apps. With Wireless Office, an embedded security framework delivers a secure remote-access service that lets businesses protect their applications and data from internet threats while maintaining control and access governance over their contractors, partners, vendors and employees.

5G is a key enabler SMB usage of 5G is expected to grow by more than 50 percent by 2030.1 Seventyfive percent of the SMB dematerialization frontrunners agree that 5G contributes to the expansion of a company’s international activities, while nearly 80 percent are interested in a virtual desktop solution.1 Two-thirds of SMB decision-makers believe 5G will be an important innovation platform, as its security, low latency and high data speeds enable a more mobile workforce.1

Learn more about how you can monetize your 5G investment while delivering significant IT support advantages to serve an increasingly remote and hybrid workforce.

Watch the video to learn how easy it is to onboard an employee or contractor with Ericsson Wireless Office compared to traditional IT and VDI/DaaS solutions.

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Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

Ask the experts In this “Ask the experts” discussion, Bill Chotiner, Chief Technology Officer for Customer Unit Regional Carriers; Surya Bommakanti, Chief Information Officer for Customer Unit Regional Carriers; and Gagan Shori, Security Director (Customer Unit Regional Carriers), Group Function Technology, answer questions about spectrum auctions, artificial intelligence and security.

Want to ask our experts to shed light on a certain topic?

Submit your questions by contacting your Ericsson account representative.

Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

Bill Chotiner Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for the Regional Carriers Customer Unit, Ericsson

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Surya Bommakanti Chief Information Officer for the Regional Carriers Customer Unit, Ericsson

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Gagan Shori Security Director (Customer Unit Regional Carriers), Group Function Technology, Ericsson

Q: What are the latest spectrum updates that regional carriers should be aware of?

Q: What is the biggest opportunity with artificial intelligence (AI) for regional carriers?

Q: What’s the biggest challenge from a security perspective that regional carriers should be concerned about?

Chotiner: In the U.S. it’s all about playing catch-up in the mid-band spectrum, as that’s the sweet spot between 5G coverage and capacity. Unlike traditional low-band spectrum, mid-band spectrum is not loaded with older generations of wireless technologies. Mid-band spectrum holdings can be as high as several hundred MHz, while traditional low-band spectrum holdings typically amount to tens of MHz. Plus, it enables you to take advantage of Massive MIMO, which multiplies spectrum capacity.

Bommakanti: AI and machine learning are being incorporated into multiple aspects of what we do, and they have the potential to enhance existing and new use cases that are enabled by 5G. But the biggest opportunity—the one that will have an impact that’s quickly realizable and particularly applicable to regional carriers— is improving operational efficiency.

Shori: Disaggregation is the biggest challenge regarding security, but it’s also the greatest opportunity. In full Open RAN environments, disaggregation will increase the attack surface of products, while removing a lot of control. Cyber protection and defense in Open RAN deployments will require novel security solutions and new security services. You must focus on the security of the network and the supply chain to ensure quality, reliability and security throughout.

Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS), which is the shared spectrum from 3.55GHz to 3.70GHz, has been introduced as a disruptive approach for spectrum management. The priority access licenses for CBRS were auctioned last year, and operators are gradually configuring their networks to take advantage of these licenses.

C-Band (3.70GHz to 3.98GHz) provides dedicated licenses and higher power than CBRS. During the highest money-producing spectrum auction in the U.S., many Ericsson customers, including regional carriers, acquired spectrum. Most of them will not be able to use it until December 2023, but that means there’s time to prepare for the network build in an organized manner.

On October 5, an auction for America’s Mid-Band Initiative Team (AMBIT) or the Department of Defense (DoD) spectrum will be held. This spectrum falls just below CBRS, at 3.45GHz to 3.55GHz, and offers a great opportunity for regional carriers. Its rules are similar to C-Band, which makes the AMBIT spectrum fundamentally simpler to use than CBRS, even though there will be some form of spectrum management in areas with government incumbents.

The auction rules for AMBIT are still being defined, but an individual company will be able to buy up to 40 MHz of spectrum. Tier 1 operators have already spent a great deal on mid-band spectrum, so this may be a good opportunity for regional carriers to pick up some midband spectrum that has similar rules and characteristics as C-Band.

Ericsson has been developing features and solutions across our portfolio to assist regional carriers with their network operations by improving efficiency and reducing OpEx. AI takes this to the next level, by making operations more predictive.

By applying intelligence to the data that’s built up in the network over time and then leveraging the feature functionality we’ve built, you now can take a predictive, rather than a reactionary approach, to network operations. For example, by looking at historic patterns, you’ll be able to predict when events requiring intervention are going to happen. If this intervention requires a truck roll, AI algorithms can be used to plan field staff deployment, which given the large geography most regional carriers cover, will result in substantial OpEx savings.

Optimizing the network’s energy usage is another area where you could use AI to save on operational expenditures.

Take for instance fuel levels in your diesel generators. If you’re able to couple your monitoring data from the sensors in the field with predictions on network usage, you can plan when you will need to replenish this fuel.

Energy savings, predictive faults, and smart crew scheduling—all of these are possible with AI and will result in greater efficiency and lower costs.

Deployments will become more expensive, as additional interoperability testing and integration points will likely result in higher costs. As the trend toward disaggregation increases, security will shift from a focus on the perimeter to secure device-to-device communication and trust management. This represents a great opportunity for managed services to increase the security portfolio and monetize the acquired responsibility of protecting a virtualized network.

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Serve

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Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

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Shentel supports deserving communities through employee engagement and friendly competition Imagine the impact you can make by harnessing the collective power of more than 1,000 employees to give back to the communities your company serves. That’s just what Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) has done every year since 2014 with their charitable program, “The Big Give.”

The Big Give creates a friendly competition among Shentel’s employees. Teams from different departments go head-to-head to see which one can collect the most donations and raffle off donated goods in support of organizations like the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, SPCA of Waynesboro, and HCCA of Shenandoah.

Even through the struggles of COVID-19, Shentel employees continued to step up for those in need, donating a combined $13,000 in the last year to more than 40 organizations.

The program will kick off its eighth consecutive year in September and will run through mid-December, continuing an initiative that has become part of the culture at Shentel. “ The Big Give isn’t just an employee engagement or philanthropic program to us,” said Matt Krueger, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management. “Through The Big Give, we’re leaning into one of our greatest strengths—our team—to serve our communities.”

Giving back is part of the fabric of Shentel and its family of businesses, which also includes Shentel Cable, Shentel Business, Glo Fiber, and Beam. Each company serves Shentel’s overall mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of location, deserves the ability to remain connected through high-quality broadband internet and telecommunications.

To date, Shentel has donated in excess of $90,000 to more than 200 organizations through The Big Give.

Shentel has donated an excess of $90,000 to more than 200 organizations.

90,000

$

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Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

Ericsson brings 5G-enabled smart manufacturing to the U.S. The Ericsson USA 5G Smart Factory located in Lewisville, Texas, is the company’s first highly automated smart factory in the United States. The state-of-the-art facility produces 5G and Advanced Antenna System radios to boost network capacity and coverage to meet the demand for rapid 5G deployments across North America, helping give the U.S. a first-mover advantage, create new jobs and usher in a new era of technological advancement.

Setting the precedent for modern industry Fast and secure 5G connectivity enables agile operations and flexible production at the Smart Factory, which is powered by Ericsson’s advanced industrial solutions including automated warehouses; connected logistics; automated assembly, packing and product handling; and the use of autonomous carts. In this way, the factory serves as a working model for how smart manufacturing can optimize processes for efficiency and increase production through automation.

We’re proud that the factory has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) pioneer. It’s the first of our factories to receive the prestigious “Global Lighthouse” designation, in recognition of its use of next-generation technologies and subsequent financial and operational returns.

The 5G Smart Factory: • introduces state-of-the-art, high-volume manufacturing to meet the demand for 5G deployments • brings telecom equipment manufacturing capability to the U.S. • maximizes automation throughout the production process to reduce manual processes and allow for 24/7 operations • ensures supply chain resiliency

What is the Global Lighthouse Network?

The Global Lighthouse Network is a community of organizations that are leading the way in 4IR with their use of digital and analytics tools across the value chain to drive growth and productivity, improve resiliency and deliver environmental sustainability.

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“Running fully automated factories using the latest technologies is part of our strategy for a more resilient and sustainable global supply chain. It shows our commitment to continue working close to our customers, ultimately enabling us to reduce emissions. The World Economic Forum designation highlights the transformative impact of 5G technology in general—and on our factories in particular— to benefit business and society at large.”

Take a video tour of the Ericsson USA 5G Smart Factory

– Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson

Setting the standard for sustainable manufacturing Climate action and sustainable development are fundamental elements of Ericsson’s company purpose, and the Smart Factory embodies that commitment. The building integrates sustainability in all aspects of its design, construction and operations. The Smart Factory is Ericsson’s first factory globally to achieve LEED Gold® certification, and we’re pursuing LEED Zero Carbon® Certification to align with our company’s commitment to be carbon neutral for company operations by 2030.1 Rising to the challenge of designing an environmentally sustainable factory Ericsson invested in high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems that are designed to enable the factory to operate with up to 24 percent less energy use than comparable buildings, lowering the operational carbon emissions of the factory.

Other highlights of the facility include2: • 40,000-gallon tanks capture and reuse rainwater, resulting in an estimated use of 75 percent less indoor water compared to a similar building.

• 98 percent of the construction and demolition waste (e.g., bricks, drywall, plastic, paper and wood) was diverted from the landfill.

• An estimated 17 percent of power is produced by on-site solar panels.

• The combination of on-site solar and Green-e® certified renewable electricity procured from the utility grid means the facility is powered 100 percent by renewable electricity.

1 The LEED® certification trademark is owned by the U.S. Green Building Council® and is used with permission.

2 Bhushan Joshi. “Ericsson USA 5G Smart Factory achieves LEED Gold Certification.” Ericsson Blog. April 2021. https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2021/4/ericsson-usa-5g-smart-factory-achieves-leed-gold-certification

Why is LEED certification significant?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used, independent greenbuilding rating system in the world and a globally recognized symbol of sustainability leadership. LEED provides a framework for creating healthy, high-performing, resourceefficient and cost-saving buildings.

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Ericsson | Regional Connect Magazine

Why Ericsson?

Regional focus, global expertise

A leading provider of information and communication technology (ICT) to service providers, Ericsson enables the full value of connectivity by creating game-changing technology and services that are easy to use, adopt and scale—making customers successful in a fully connected world.

140 years

Global Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden

of enabling communication

26,169 R&D employees1

101,624

180+

employees

Operates in 180+ countries

93 live 5G networks

57,000+ patents

1

As of 12/31/2020 2

As of 8/1/2021

globally2

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North American Headquarters: Plano, Texas

5 live 5G networks

30+ U.S. locations

in the U.S.3

70+ regional carrier customers

$100M 5G smart factory investment in Lewisville, TX

7,700 U.S. employees 3

As of 8/1/2021

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About Ericsson Regional Connect

Regional carriers are unique enterprises. They are an integral part of the communities they serve as much as they are businesses seeking growth and sustainability.

The Ericsson Regional Connect program was born out of Ericsson’s recognition that regional carriers across the U.S. are united by these common values—and by common challenges: Values we share and challenges our global solutions are perfectly suited to meet.

With an array of live and virtual events, online forums and tools, Ericsson Regional Connect comprises a unique community that brings regional carriers together in an unprecedented way:

Share—Regional carriers will have access to Ericsson’s global technological leadership and expertise. And they will have a forum for sharing knowledge, ideas and best practices with one another.

Connect—Ericsson Regional Connect facilitates a wide range of opportunities for professionals in the industry to meet and partner with their peers.

Serve—Apply what you gain from Ericsson Regional Connect to better serve your customers, connect the unconnected and give back to your communities.

We invite you to explore what Ericsson Regional Connect can do for you— and what you can do for others. Visit the Regional Connect website.

About Ericsson

Ericsson enables communications service providers to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services and Emerging Business and is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson’s investments in innovation have delivered the benefits of telephony and mobile broadband to billions of people around the world.

The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York.

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Ericsson 6300 Legacy Drive | Plano, Texas 75024 Telephone (General inquiries): (972) 583-0000 | Telephone (Ericsson U.S. digital sales): (833) 374-7253 www.ericsson.com

The content of this document is subject to revision without notice due to continued progress in methodology, design and manufacturing. Ericsson shall have no liability for any error or damage of any kind resulting from the use of this document. © Ericsson 2021