Sweden-based operator group Tele2 tapped Nokia to provide a standalone (SA) 5G core network for its home market ahead of the country’s spectrum auction. Nokia will also provide solution for Voice over 5G (Vo5G).

The operator said in a statement that the contract also covers deployment of an SA 5G core and facilities to enable voice-over-5G in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Deployment is expected to start in 2021.

“We looked for a knowledgeable partner to successfully and efficiently handle the rollout of our 5G core in a reliable way, and we found just that in Nokia. With Nokia handling the integration and their ability to leverage years of experience, our team is able to concentrate on enabling new services for our customers, while running a smart and reliable network,” said Thomas Helbo, CTO of Tele2.

“We are proud to be expanding on our long-standing relationship with Tele2 as we move into the 5G era. With our relationship stemming back to the mobile core days of the 1990s, we look forward to collaborating with Tele2 to support new 21st century digital services and unlock even more reliable network experiences,” said Raghav Sahgal, President of Nokia Cloud and Network Services.

Tele2 launched non-standalone 5G in parts of Sweden in 2020 using existing spectrum, though will have to wait for the completion of the country’s delayed auction before being able to achieve nationwide availability. Nokia’s win on the home turf of rival Ericsson comes as the company embarks on a sweeping restructure in an attempt to focus on key business areas and make up lost ground in the global vendor 5G market.