Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has announced the launch of its 5G Advanced Location Services, a comprehensive, network-integrated positioning platform designed to redefine location-based services across commercial 5G Standalone (SA) networks. Scheduled for commercial availability in Q1 2026, the offering is fully integrated on top of Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core, positioning location as a native capability of the 5G SA network rather than an add-on or overlay service.
The new platform delivers sub-10 centimeter outdoor accuracy using Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) and sub-meter indoor precision via Ericsson’s indoor 5G solutions. By embedding positioning directly into the core network, Ericsson enables any standard 5G device to access high-accuracy location data without device-side applications, additional sensors, or satellite-based augmentation—while also improving battery life compared with legacy GPS-centric approaches.
A central differentiator is seamless indoor/outdoor coverage, providing a unified positioning experience as assets, vehicles, or personnel move across complex environments such as factories, hospitals, ports, campuses, and urban infrastructure. The solution scales to support large-scale use cases including massive geofencing, population density analysis, and real-time tracking across wide areas.
By exposing integrated APIs and network-centric location capabilities, Ericsson is enabling Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to monetize precise location services and expand beyond traditional connectivity into high-value verticals such as manufacturing, healthcare, public safety, automotive, agriculture, drones, and logistics.
“With the launch of 5G Advanced Location Services we are evolving the value of 5G Standalone networks,” said Monica Zethzon, Head of Core Networks at Ericsson. “This innovation gives CSPs the precision and scalability to create differentiated services based on location capabilities.”
Industry analysts see the announcement as a significant milestone. Caroline Gabriel, Partner at Analysys Mason, noted that Ericsson’s integrated indoor and outdoor approach “sets a new benchmark in the industry,” addressing long-standing challenges for operators and enterprises where location accuracy is mission-critical.
While the global 5G positioning market is still in its early stages, it is expected to grow rapidly as demand increases for deterministic, high-precision location in industrial automation, autonomy, and mission-critical operations. Ericsson’s announcement reinforces its leadership in RTK-based positioning, with related Ericsson devices also planned for Q1 2026.
🌐 See us at MWC26 – https://nextgeninfra.io/mwc-2026-sponsor/
