Telia Norway has opened its first 5G test network in Norway, marking the beginning of next generation’s mobile networks in the country. First up to try it out is the Odeon movie theatre in Oslo, which is now the world's first 5G cinema.
In recent years, Telia Norway has put huge resources into preparing the networks for the future; 4G at all base stations, first in the world with Narrowband IoT and, in September, Norway's first nationwide, IoT-specialized network. Now, Telia Norway makes way for 5G.
"It is our duty to our customers as well as our social responsibility to ensure that the infrastructure we build can meet the demands of the next big thing,” says Abraham Foss, Managing Director of Telia Norway. “We have been working for some time on 5G across the Telia countries, both in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Now 5G comes to Norway, and we look forward to exploring the opportunities. 5G will enable innovation, new ecosystems and fantastic services not only for consumers, but also for digitalizing entire industries.”
With previous generations’ mobile networks, technology was often rolled out first, and then came the services and applications. But 5G starts at the other end.
"We start the 5G development from a customer perspective, exploring user cases and service scenarios with partners, and then we develop the technology. That way, we can identify customer requirements and address new business opportunities. We are going to develop 5G-based solutions industry by industry, area by area,” Foss says.
Telia built a 5G test network in Oslo, in the Odeon Cinema Center. Odeon is the country's largest cinema, offering the best in cinema technology on its 14 screens. In 2019, the cinema will be even more advanced - films will be downloaded via Telia's 5G network. In addition, visitors at the cinema can use a 5G WiFi zone from Telia.
“Odeon in Oslo has become the world's first 5G cinema, and we think it's very exciting,” says Ivar Halstvedt, CEO of Odeon Kino AS. "Our already high-tech cinema is expanding into the future, and we are proud of that.”
Telia's 5G test network in Oslo makes it possible to explore opportunities for individuals and families as well. At the home of a family of five, Telia and Get have set up what might be Norway's most modern home. The house has been filled with smart solutions from Futurehome, for example, accessing the latest entertainment from Get - all connected to the network through the 5G pilot.
“The family gets an easier, safer and more enjoyable everyday life. We like to call it everyday magic," says Torbjørn Aamodt, Product Director at Get and future head of Telia Consumer Home. "This family is far ahead of the rest of us, with a home filled with clever things connected through 5G. It is something the rest of us will not experience for several years, but it's really fun to see what we will get with the latest technology.
Moreover, industrial applications of 5G will be one of the most important drivers for development and commercialization. One of the industries that will benefit greatly from the new technology is the construction industry. Telia cooperates with AF Group Bispevika, which will be one of the first to test 5G on one of its housing development projects. ¨
Telia Norway will contribute with mobile technology to help realize the ambitions of a site filled with sensors, phones, robots, artificial intelligence and expanded reality (AR).
"The AF Group project in Bispevika is a lighthouse project and we are pleased to be among the first to use 5G," says Lars Petter Fritzsønn, Project Director of AF Byggfornyelse. "Today, efficient work processes at such a construction site are challenging, if the infrastructure is not yet available.”