As Jordan accelerates its digital transformation and seeks to strengthen its
position as a regional hub for technology, connectivity and innovation, the
development of advanced telecommunications infrastructure is becoming
increasingly central to the country’s economic and social future.
اضافة اعلان
The rollout of 5G, the expansion of digital services, the development of
local talent, and the growing focus on sustainability are creating new
opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and the next generation.
Against this backdrop, Ericsson continues to play a significant role in
supporting Jordan’s digital ecosystem through its long-standing partnerships
with local operators, investments in technology and talent, and efforts to
improve the efficiency and sustainability of telecommunications networks.
The
company has also placed increasing emphasis on trusted digital infrastructure,
energy efficiency, responsible e-waste management and the broader role of
connectivity in enabling innovation and economic growth.
In this interview, Patrick Johansson, President and Head of Europe,
Middle East and Africa at Ericsson, discusses the company’s
long-standing presence in Jordan and its approach to developing local talent
and digital skills.
He also sheds light on Ericsson’s partnerships with
Jordanian operators, the opportunities created by 5G, and the role of advanced ICT
infrastructure in supporting startups and innovation.
Johansson also addresses the environmental dimension of digital
transformation, including energy efficiency and e-waste management, while
highlighting the importance of secure and trusted connectivity in an
increasingly digital society.
With extensive international experience across Ericsson’s business and
market operations, Johansson brings a broad regional perspective to the
opportunities and challenges facing the telecommunications sector.
He argues
that Jordan has many of the essential building blocks for a stronger digital
economy, while stressing the importance of accelerating implementation and
ensuring that citizens and businesses can fully benefit from the technologies
being deployed.
In the following interview, Johansson shares his assessment of Jordan’s
digital transformation, Ericsson’s long-term commitment to the country, and his
vision for how connectivity, innovation and emerging technologies can shape the
opportunities available to the next generation.
Q: Beyond building networks, how is Ericsson investing in developing
local Jordanian talent and digital skills?
First of all, Ericsson has been part of Jordan’s communications and digital
development for a very long time. We established our full office in Jordan in
1983.
What we do somewhat differently from many other companies is that we are
committed to developing local talent, and this has been part of our approach
from the very beginning.
This is not limited to building technological
capabilities; it also extends to developing leadership skills.
We have Jordanian nationals who are now working in other countries as well,
because that is an important part of what Ericsson is about.
We are a truly
global organisation, present in almost 180 countries, and as a Swedish company,
we are celebrating our 150th anniversary this year.
We believe strongly in developing local talent and creating opportunities
for people to work across different markets.
Our people can work with
government organisations, with customers and across the wider communications
ecosystem.
Ultimately, communications is a community that needs to work together. As
part of the digital transformation you mentioned, secure communications and
digital networks have become the backbone of modern society.
For that entire
system to function effectively, it depends on people and the capabilities they
bring.
Q: You recently announced major collaborations with operators like
Zain and Umniah. How do these partnerships directly improve the everyday
digital experience for people in Jordan?
In many ways. Of course, one of the latest major developments in Jordan has
been the launch of 5G.
There is still some degree of slow adoption of 5G, and there is also a need
for further transformation on the core network side.
That is where you can
unlock the full capabilities of 5G, including network slicing and greater
efficiencies.
However, this is ultimately about building the digital economy. There is a
clear objective to establish Jordan as a digital hub, and connectivity is
fundamental to achieving that.
People work from offices, from home and from many other locations. Strong
and reliable connectivity enables this flexibility and supports economic and
social growth.
So, it is part of a much bigger puzzle. We work with all the different
players across the network, but what matters is how the different components
are built and integrated together.
This is not only about civilian applications. It is also about security,
particularly at a sensitive time in the world. That makes trusted partnerships
in digital infrastructure increasingly important.
Q: Sustainability is a major focus for Ericsson. How can advanced
telecommunications and ICT help reduce Jordan’s carbon footprint?
This is a multi-faceted issue. First, when you replace older equipment with new
technology, the new equipment is inherently more efficient.
But it is equally
important to consider what happens to the old equipment.
We have worked closely with Umniah to recycle more than 130 metric
tonnes of equipment as of April 2026, ensuring it is disposed of responsibly
and kept out of landfills.
Then there is the efficiency of the new network itself. When you look at
carrying data over 5G, the energy efficiency can be significantly improved
compared with previous generations, depending on the technology and the use
case.
We know that Jordan faces challenges related to energy and water resources.
New technologies can help address some of these challenges because they are
designed to use energy more efficiently.
The equipment itself is also becoming more efficient in terms of cooling and
overall energy consumption.
As a result, the total cost of ownership and energy
consumption of newer equipment can be significantly lower.
This contributes to a substantial reduction in the carbon footprint. From
Ericsson’s perspective, we also have global net-zero targets, and we are
working ahead of the curve to implement them.
But there are also indirect benefits. This comes back to the development of
the digital economy. If digitalisation can make transportation systems and
smart grids more efficient, that contributes to reducing overall CO₂ emissions.
Digitalisation, therefore, can improve the overall environmental situation
for both the country and the wider world.
Q: You recently launched an e-waste program and deployed an
AI-powered energy-saving solution with Umniah. Can you tell us more about the
environmental impact of these specific projects?
E-waste is an important part of the overall sustainability equation. It is
integrated into our broader end-to-end approach to environmental
responsibility.
As I mentioned, our work with Umniah has included recycling over 130 metric
tonnes of equipment, ensuring that the material is handled responsibly rather
than ending up in inappropriate locations.
At the same time, replacing older equipment with more energy-efficient
technologies helps reduce energy consumption across the network.
The broader impact is not limited to the equipment itself. More efficient
digital networks can enable greater efficiency across other sectors as well,
including transportation and smart grids.
That means the environmental benefits
of digitalisation extend beyond the telecommunications industry itself.
Q: How does strong, modern telecom infrastructure support local
startups and innovation in Jordan?
Again, it comes back to connectivity and the cost of starting a business.
If the necessary infrastructure is already in place, entrepreneurs can
connect not only with their local communities but also with the global
community.
I think that represents a tremendous opportunity for Jordan.
This is particularly relevant for younger generations.
You do not
necessarily need a large amount of startup capital to establish a business
today.
With a laptop or a phone and reliable connectivity, people can begin
building businesses and participating in the digital economy.
It becomes a matter of creating opportunities and allowing different parts
of the ecosystem to build on one another.
We have seen very good examples of this in many parts of the world. Now that
5G has been launched in Jordan, I think we will be impressed by what the
younger generation, in particular, will be able to create and develop using
these capabilities.
6. Ericsson’s Long-Term Impact
Q: Ultimately, how do you hope Ericsson’s ongoing investments will
shape the everyday lives and opportunities of the next generation in Jordan?
Ericsson has been part of Jordanian society for a very long time, and I
envision us continuing to be a deeply integrated part of that society through
continuous development.
We are now talking about 5G, and 6G will come in the future. But ultimately,
the question is how we use these technologies to make people’s lives easier and
more secure.
Jordan has a sensitive geographical position, and there is instability in
the region.
That makes it particularly important to work with trusted partners
to ensure that information whether it belongs to government institutions or
individuals remains secure and is handled appropriately.
We want to be that trusted partner, there is also a close relationship between Jordan and Sweden, and I believe
we should continue to nurture that relationship.
We are both relatively small
countries, and we have both found ourselves in strategically important
positions.
Our experience over the years has created many opportunities for
cooperation, and I believe the future is bright in terms of what we can
accomplish together and the experiences we can share.
Q: How do you assess Jordan’s digital transformation as a whole?
My general impression is that there are many very good initiatives in place.
What we need to do now is work closely together to see how we can accelerate
the process while continuing to work with trusted partners.
Most importantly, people need to be able to reap the benefits of digital
transformation while feeling safe and secure in how they use these
technologies.
Perhaps we can pick up the pace a little, the pieces are there, and what I
find particularly impressive is the way the vision is coming from the Royal
Court and extending throughout society.
I think that is a very strong point. As you know, Sweden is also a monarchy,
although it is a different type of monarchy.
Nevertheless, I think it is
important to have a common thread running across society.
Q: How do you view what has been achieved so far?
I think it is very good. But, again, I believe the pace could be increased
somewhat.
We are now starting to build the foundations, and the next step is to make
sure that we actually utilise the opportunities that these foundations create.
