Swisscom and Ericsson have announced plans to collaborate more closely on developing the operator’s mobile network.
The two companies, who have a longstanding relationship, claimed the new contract is based around an “unusual” cooperation model.
They said a new team, made up of an equal number of Ericsson and Swisscom employees, would be formed to “plan and drive further development of the mobile network”.
It is not clear precisely which areas they intend focus on.
A Swisscom spokesperson told Mobile Europe that innovation, strategy, architecture, development and processes in the mobile network would all be covered under the new partnership, which is “indefinite” is length.
Last week, Swisscom became the first operator to deploy Ericsson’s Network Manager, which allows operators to view network resources and services through a single portal.
Heinz Herren, CTO & CIO of Swisscom, said: “I am convinced that our customers will benefit from our intensified partnership because we will leverage the combined knowledge and dedication of both companies.”
[Read more: Swisscom to wave goodbye to 2G, as it readies post-2020 network]
Magnus Mandersson, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Unit Global Services said: “Our long-standing and close partnership with Swisscom makes new forms of cooperation possible from which not only we as partners stand to gain, but also mobile phone users.
“We will work together to improve Swisscom’s already outstanding products and services even further. All customers will benefit from shorter times-to-market.”