Ericsson’s CEO Warns: U.S. Falling Behind China in 5G Standalone

Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm has painted a clear picture of where the U.S.

wireless industry stands – and it’s not always flattering. While the United States remains Ericsson’s most important market thanks to its massive scale and innovative carriers, Ekholm admits that China has already taken the lead in building true 5G Standalone (SA) networks.

Unlike the non-standalone 5G that most carriers still rely on, SA networks are designed from the ground up with a dedicated 5G core. This enables ultra-low latency, network slicing, and more reliable connections – crucial for advanced applications like autonomous vehicles and robotics. China has rolled out an astonishing 4 million 5G SA base stations, while in the U.S., only T-Mobile has managed to launch a nationwide SA deployment – and is one of the few operators worldwide actually monetizing it.

Ekholm noted that Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all depend heavily on Ericsson equipment, though competition comes from Samsung and Nokia. He stressed that the U.S. can’t afford delays if it wants to keep pace with global innovation.

On spectrum policy, Ekholm praised America’s leadership during the 4G era, which helped U.S. tech giants flourish on the back of strong wireless infrastructure. He urged policymakers to repeat that success with 6G, emphasizing that licensed spectrum is essential for reliability. “You can’t allow milliseconds of interruptions if a self-driving car or robot depends on it,” he warned.

Artificial intelligence also loomed large in his remarks. Ekholm argued that AI is already driving efficiency gains in radio networks, boosting spectrum efficiency by up to 10%. He believes AI will fundamentally change how wireless companies operate – reducing some jobs but creating entirely new roles in the process. Echoing past skepticism about the internet, he dismissed the idea of AI being overhyped, insisting its long-term impact will be profound.

Ekholm was also asked about EchoStar’s chances of breaking into the U.S. market as a true fourth competitor. While cautious in his comments, he said that success would depend on EchoStar being disruptive, much like T-Mobile under former CEO John Legere. In his view, the U.S. market, dominated by three giants, could benefit from a bold new challenger.