Ericsson Provides 5G Solutions to Hybrid Workforce

ERICSSON

Industry: Telecommunications

Country: Sweden

Objectives

• Enable secure high-speed connectivity
• Maximize end-point security
• Optimize provisioning and management

Approach

• Global HP Managed Device Services¹ (formerly HP Device as a Service (DAAS)) agreement
• HP Sure Admin² and Sure Start for added security
• New 5G³-enabled high-quality notebook PCs
• Cloud-native approach for managing endpoints and applications

Business Outcomes

• Deliver secure access and stable connectivity with 5G
• Maximize BIOS security with HP Sure Admin
• Reduce device time-to-deployment 400%
• Nearly 100% adoption worldwide
• Improve staff productivity with computer cold boot times reduced an estimated 75%

130,000 users across the business

140 countries of operation

Objectives

At the Leading Edge of Innovation

Founded as a telephony business in Stockholm in 1876, Ericsson is a provider of wireless and 5G³ services to telecoms operators worldwide and is currently investing heavily in cloud-based enterprise solutions. At the same time, the business's basic principles remain unchanged.

"Our culture is very much based on technology and innovation," says Henrik Thunell, Global Head of Client Solutions at Ericsson. "We have a lot of patents and we are developing new ideas, new solutions and new intellectual property all the time."

That innovation extends to a focus on the employee experience and integrating technology that meets the needs of a demanding workforce. A lean client services team is responsible for delivering secure end-user computing services to some 130,000 users in 140 countries, and digital workplace services are central to its operations.

Ericsson believes that transformation is key to meeting workforce and hybrid demands. Their vision for the Infrastructure Light approach, which aims to simplify enterprise network deployment and endpoint management, requires the combined power of cloud and 5G. Scaling Infrastructure Light requires strong industry collaboration across the ecosystem.

Ericsson is a longstanding customer of HP, now in its twentieth year in the relationship. The company is also an early adopter of Managed Device Services.¹ In 2019, when Thunell assessed the Ericsson computer fleet and its strategy for connectivity and security, he saw an opportunity to take it a step further.

Specifically, he wanted to retain the primary benefits of device provisioning, while extending to Modern Management and built-in 5G connectivity. New goals were to increase IT efficiency, reduce security risk, enhance employee experiences, and achieve a more sustainable technology footprint. Thunell was looking to strengthen end-point security with a zero-trust approach.

For sustainability benefits, measurably reducing the carbon footprint and energy consumption throughout the device lifecycle was key.

"We wanted connectivity that would provide a consistent and secure user experience independent of location."
Henrik Thunell, Global Head of Client Solutions, Ericsson

"Everything is Internet and cloud-enabled, end-to-end. Modern Management, in combination with 5G, is the ultimate solution for a hybrid workforce."
Henrik Thunell, Global Head of Client Solutions, Ericsson

Device time-to-deployment reduced 4X

10-minute enrollment and devices are ready to work

Approach

A New Chapter in the Era of Connectivity

"We wanted to show our partners that we are serious about making things better by building in 5G³ because we are a 5G company," says Thunell. "We wanted to push the envelope and we wanted connectivity that would provide a consistent and secure user experience independent of location or the end-user's circumstances."

Thunell saw the strength of HP demonstrated in the EliteBook series notebook PCs with HP security features that are part of the HP Managed Device Services¹ solution with global provisioning. HP stood apart with built-in 5G² capabilities in a wide range of EliteBook models which would support Ericsson in its pursuit of a 5G-enabled future.

Evolving with HP to deploy HP's latest G11 lineup, Ericsson is keeping at the forefront of innovation, driving towards their vision of the shift to infrastructure Light. By leveraging public 5G networks and cloud solutions, Ericsson empowers flexible, secure, and sustainable hybrid work models, enabling seamless connectivity, productivity, and collaboration regardless of location.

"A unique benefit was HP security solutions, in particular HP Sure Admin² and Sure Start," Thunell notes. "We have a very firm requirement for BIOS management, and HP provides military-grade encryption technology to manage that."

Ericsson established the HP Managed Device Services arrangement to include over 90% of its devices. HP prepares the devices by deploying Ericsson's standard pre-provisioning package using Microsoft Intune. The devices are then resealed and shipped to an Ericsson office location or sent for home delivery. Crucially, eSIMs enabling 5G technology are also provisioned by IT Admin, making it easier for Ericsson's workforce to stay connected in a hybrid work model.

"It's an awesome solution, and very convenient for the IT staff and the end-users," Thunell explains. "You receive your device, type in your email address, get a multifactor authentication prompt, and 10 minutes later you're enrolled and ready to work."

Business Outcomes

Delivering Connectivity with Control

In the new contract, Ericsson has a fleet of devices that enable its staff to work effectively and securely, worldwide. At the same time, its client services staff retain control of the full device stack, from application and OS level to the BIOS and hardware.

The combination of device performance and cloud-based applications has cut cold boot times from 120 seconds to between 30 and 40, while always-on 5G connectivity simplifies cloud management and ensures that updates and new services are provisioned quickly and easily.

The Break/Fix agreement means user uptime is increased, with devices simply exchanged for new replacements if required.

Solution at a glance

HP Services

• Modern Management
• Global HP Managed Device Services¹
• Sure Admin²
• Sure Start
• Next Business Day
• Accidental Damage Protection

HP Hardware

• Elite Dragonfly PC
• EliteBook 830/840/850 series
• EliteBook 1040 series
• ZBook mobile workstation

Adoption rate nearing 100% [laptop icon]

Reliable 5G connectivity [5G icon]

Cold boot times cut estimated 75% [speedometer icon]

Thunell also noted that user adoption rates are high and user feedback is overall positive. "Things are working very well overall—better than I expected," he says. "At the beginning of the project, I said that if we could get a 70% adoption rate on Modern Management, that would be good. Now we're reaching close to 100%."

Thunell believes the flexibility and scalability of Modern Management bring the most value to Ericsson. "We let HP prepare everything for us, so our colleagues can focus on supporting users and advising them on how to maximize productivity from the devices," he explains.

Today, 100% of Ericsson's laptop fleet are 5G³ enabled with HP. As part of the industry, Thunell is excited by this new 5G-enabled computer environment.

"Everything is Internet and cloud-enabled end-to-end, from before the device is even manufactured until it is fully retired," he concludes. "Modern Management, combined with 5G, is the ultimate solution for a hybrid workforce."

Learn more at hp.com/WorkforceSolutions

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¹ HP Managed Device Services includes hardware and services and may require financing. HP Managed Device Services requirements may vary by region or by Authorized HP Managed Device Services Partner. Please contact your local HP Representative or Authorized Managed Device Services Partner for specific details in your location. Payment solutions may be available through HP Integrated Financial Solutions endorsed finance partners, subject to country location, credit approval, and other restrictions. Not all services or offers may be available and not all customers may qualify. HP Integrated Financial Solutions' partners may change or cancel program at any time without notice. HP services are governed by the applicable HP terms and conditions of service provided or indicated to Customer at the time of purchase. Customer may have additional statutory rights according to applicable local laws, and such rights are not in any way affected by the HP terms and conditions of service, or the HP Limited Warranty provided with your HP Product.

² HP Sure Admin requires HP Manageability Integration Kit and HP Sure Admin Local Access Authenticator smartphone app from the Android or Apple store.

³ 5G enabled by Intel® 5G Solution 5000. Intel® 5G module is optional and must be configured at the factory.

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4AA8-2650ENW, July 2025