AMMAN — Jordan's strategic location, skilled workforce and expanding digital infrastructure are strengthening its role as an important hub for Ericsson's regional operations, according to Patrick Johansson, President and Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson.

 

In an interview with The Jordan Times, Johansson said the company's more than 40-year presence in Jordan, alongside the close relationship between Jordan and Sweden, provides a strong foundation for continued cooperation and investment.

 

"Jordan is a very, very important hub from a geographical point of view," Johansson said, highlighting the Kingdom's location and potential role in Ericsson's regional operations.

 

He also praised Jordanian talent, noting that Ericsson has developed local expertise in technical fields as well as senior leadership. Jordanians are also working in different positions across Ericsson's global operations, he said.

 

The company, which operates in 180 countries, aims to contribute to the wider technology ecosystem by developing young professionals who may go on to work with Ericsson, its customers, government institutions or other sectors.

 

"It is about elevating the general technology knowledge," Johansson said, stressing the importance of cooperation between businesses, academia and other institutions.

 

5G, AI, Jordan's digital economy

 

Johansson said Jordan's entry into the 5G era presents an opportunity to accelerate the development of a safe and secure digital economy.

 

Advanced digital infrastructure can help businesses, startups and individual entrepreneurs develop new services and expand their operations, he said.

 

He noted that economic growth increasingly depends on creating opportunities for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs. With secure digital infrastructure in place, small enterprises can contribute to Jordan's economy and strengthen its links with the wider regional digital economy.

 

Johansson also highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence, cloud technology and connectivity.

 

While AI models may be developed and trained in data centres, their practical use by individuals and businesses depends on reliable connectivity.

 

"Mobile infrastructure is super critical," he said, noting that many interactions with AI and digital services take place through mobile devices and other connected technologies.

 

The combination of AI, cloud services and connectivity is also lowering barriers to entrepreneurship, according to Johansson. Businesses can now use AI and cloud-based tools to carry out tasks that previously required greater investment and resources.

 

"The most important thing is what you use technology for," he said, stressing that innovation should ultimately be used to create businesses and economic opportunities.

 

5G Standalone and the road to 6G

 

Johansson explained that 5G Standalone enables the full capabilities of 5G by upgrading both the radio and core networks.

 

While non-standalone 5G uses a 5G radio network with a 4G core, 5G Standalone also upgrades the core network, enabling advanced applications such as network slicing.

 

Network slicing allows businesses and industries to use dedicated portions of a network according to their specific requirements, including speed and latency. This could allow different applications, such as enterprise services and sensors, to operate with different network requirements and improve the overall efficiency of the infrastructure.

 

Johansson said investment in 5G Standalone would also help prepare countries for future generations of mobile technology.

 

Ericsson expects early 6G trials before 2030, while wider commercial deployment could begin around 2032, Johansson said.

 

However, he stressed that technological development should focus not only on introducing new systems but also on learning how to use them effectively.

 

"We need to make sure that the 5G infrastructure works and then add on the additional capacity that we get through 6G," he said.

 

Johansson added that much of the hardware being deployed today is expected to be compatible with future 6G technology, although the technology has not yet been fully standardised.

 

Talent, security, entrepreneurship

 

Beyond technological development, Johansson stressed the importance of high-quality and secure telecommunications infrastructure.

 

As economies become increasingly digital, countries and organisations need to protect personal and government data and ensure that telecommunications equipment comes from trusted suppliers, he said.

 

The growing uncertainty in the global environment makes trust and security increasingly important, according to Johansson.

 

He also highlighted the importance of developing digital skills among Jordan's younger generation.

 

Ericsson trains its employees and works with clients to develop technological expertise, but Johansson said curiosity and a willingness to learn are equally important.

 

"The younger generations' willingness to learn and being curious, I think that is the true asset," he said.

 

He also pointed to the value of international experience, saying Jordanians who work abroad can return with new skills and knowledge that can benefit the local economy.

 

Advanced digital infrastructure can support productivity, investment and entrepreneurship by reducing the cost of starting and operating businesses, Johansson said.

 

Young people entering the workforce today do not necessarily need large investments to launch a company, as cloud services and digital technologies can allow them to operate businesses with relatively limited resources.

 

"They can actually run it out of their laptop," he said.

 

Lower entry costs also make it easier for entrepreneurs to test ideas, learn from failure and start again without major financial losses.

 

Johansson concluded by stressing the importance of continued cooperation and trust between Jordan and Sweden, particularly amid growing global uncertainty.

 

He said closer collaboration between countries, companies, universities and other institutions would help create opportunities and strengthen Jordan's role in the region's digital economy.