Ericsson turns 150: From telegraph repairs to 5G global dominance in 2026
Ericsson will mark its 150th anniversary on 1 April 2026, reflecting a long history of innovation in communication technology. What began as a modest telegraph repair workshop in Stockholm has grown into a global leader in telecommunications infrastructure. The company was founded by Lars Magnus Ericsson on 1 April 1876, the same year Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone. Its first recorded customer was the Stockholm Fire Department, which paid 2 Swedish kronor for equipment repairs. By the late 19th century, Ericsson had shifted from repairs to designing and manufacturing telephone systems, helping Sweden become one of the most telephone-dense countries in the world.
Over the 20th century, Ericsson became a key player in mobile technology and global telecommunications standards. It developed early mobile systems and later pioneered 2G and 3G networks in the 1980s. Today, its 5G infrastructure builds on this legacy, repurposing older spectrum bands like 850 MHz and 1900 MHz while integrating cloud-native solutions, AI, and edge computing. Recent advancements include Massive MIMO, Cloud RAN, and OpenRAN technologies. Major contracts, such as the 2021 deal with Verizon worth 8.3 billion USD, and partnerships with Drei Österreich and Dell in 2025, have expanded Ericsson's reach. Its 5G networks now operate across the US, Austria, and Germany, including private campus networks for research and industry.
From a small workshop to a global technology provider, Ericsson's 150-year journey has been shaped by continuous adaptation. Its current focus on mission-critical communications—including Sweden's public protection networks—demonstrates how far the company has come since its early days. The anniversary in 2026 will highlight both its historical impact and its role in future connectivity.
