Ericsson has produced its first 5G base station out of its new smart factory in Lewisville, Texas.
Last year, Ericsson planned to build the 300,00 sq ft automated smart factory that would produce 5G and antenna system radios with operations expected to begin in early 2020.
Ericsson said the factory will be one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the industry when it becomes fully operational later this year. The base station is the millimeter wave (mmWave) Street Macro solution, a key component to Ericsson’s 5G portfolio for North America. All radio access components are housed in a lightweight enclosure to grow 5G coverage in city environments.
The smart factory will use connected logistics, automated assembly, packing, product handling and autonomous cars and will initially employ 100 people.
“With the first 5G base stations now rolling off the production line, we are on target this year to have the most fully automated, sustainable 5G smart factory in the U.S.,” said Erik Simonsson, head of the USA 5G smart factory at Ericsson.
