MOSCOW Reuters -- Sweden's Ericsson is auditing a site in Russia's exclave Kaliningrad that it could use to build telecom base stations, the Kommersant daily reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed telecom industry sources.
Russia will extend telecoms operators' licences beyond 2023 for long-term evolution networks on condition that they start building networks using only Russian equipment, part of a wider push by Moscow to promote domestic technology and IT services.
Kommersant said Ericsson was conducting a technological audit of a site owned by GS Group, a multi-industry holding company.
According to Kommersant's sources, Ericsson is considering building its own plant or finding a Russian partner.
Ericsson did not respond to a request for comment. GS Group didn't want to say anything.
According to Kommersant, Ericsson has constant dialogue with authorities in many countries, including Russia, regarding 5 G and other technologies.
Finnish-based Nokia said last month it was partnering with Russia's YADRO, a developer and producer of servers and storage systems, to build 4 G and 5 G base stations.