Communications Technology
Communications Technology is one of East Sweden's most successful areas and an important driving force in the region. In addition to being the world’s center for Ericsson’s 3G and 4G technology, East Sweden has also become a world leader in the area of home communications. Home communications is a broad field that uses high-speed technology to communicate and to customize content and services to meet personal needs. In the region there are a number of small and medium companies with interesting products and great development potential.
A long history
In 2005, David Doloreux, Pierre Bitard, and Leif Hommen from the Regional Development & Centre de Recherche sur le Développement Territorial at the University of Québec and Lund University, identified successful regional innovation systems throughout the world. Their description of East Sweden provides an excellent explanation for this region’s success in the information and telecommunications industry.
“The historical roots of Mjärdevi’s emergence and development as an “ICT growth pole” can be traced back to the 1930s, when the Swedish national government established SAAB in Linköping. As a major defence contractor specialising in aerospace, Saab displayed a high level of technological dynamism, eventually diversifying into a number of related “high technology” fields and industries. One important consequence was that during the 1960s the company DataSaab was established in Linköping and began the production of the first commercial computer in Sweden. This development led to the creation of a technical institute in Linköping, and its subsequent evolution into a full fledged university.”
Research and education
The access to excellent research and education at Linköping University provides a strong foundation for the development of this industry sector and related fields. The University offers leading research within, for example, image coding and colour representation, secure data transmission, information theory, automatic control, microelectronics and wireless technologies, usability, real-time systems and materials science.
Intresting companies
There are several spin-off companies in Mjärdevi Science Park in Linköping, which at 20 years old is one of Europe’s leading science parks with 180 companies and still growing. Two well-established companies in Mjärdevi include Sectra which provides products in communication security, and Kreatel Communications – a leading provider of IP set-top box solutions for delivery of TV-centric services.
Dreampark, located in the region’s second and newer science park ProNova, in Norrköping, helps operators visualize the advantages of IP infrastructure for distribution of TV or related services.
A2B Electronics AB develops, manufactures and markets electronic equipment for distribution and communication of TV, radio and data signals. The focus is mainly on digital broadband communication via Cable-TV, satellite and microwave transmissions.
ÅF-System, developing products and systems within the telecom sector.
PartnerTech operates in the segment Telecom infrastructure.
Enea is a telecommunications specialist with a real-time operating system that puts it at the cutting edge of technology. The company’s software family is mainly found in radio base stations and mobile telephones.
Mobipro is a company that develops and provides professional services and products within the fields of information technology and mobile data communication.
While regions around the globe compete for the ICT spotlight, East Sweden can truly say that a majority of the world’s ICT technologies started right here. Companies locating in this region or partnering with companies here can enjoy the history that has formed ICT success--from DataSaab and the mainframe computer, to the first roller-ball technology leading to the modern-day mouse, to Ericsson and its developments in mobile applications, technology, hardware architecture, and design methodology as well as 3G and 4G applications, 65 nm process technology and beyond, and multi processor systems on chip—all helping to enable communication systems around the world.
Useful links:
Facts about information and communications technology in Sweden 2004