
Ericsson's GCC expansion and the future of 5G: Iwan Stella at LEAP 2025
Iwan Stella, VP Head of Strategy & Commercial Management, Market Area Middle East & Africa at Ericsson, speaks to Gulf Business at LEAP 2025 about the company's regional expansion, particularly in Saudi Arabia. He shares insights on how Ericsson is strengthening 5G connectivity, the impact of digital transformation, and what's next for 6G. Watch for key takeaways on the future of telecom in the region.

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