Samsung Electronics has recently recruited two executives from Ericsson to expand its telecommunications equipment business.

The company recently established a new business strategy task force (TF) under its network division. Managing Director Henrik Jansson, recruited from Ericsson, was appointed to lead the TF. Cho Mi-seon, a former Ericsson executive who was recruited together with Jansson, will be in charge of European sales and new business development.

Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong has chosen telecommunications equipment as one of the company’s flagship businesses. In November of last year, the company succeeded in supplying 5G mobile communication equipment to NTT DoCoMo, Japan’s No. 1 wireless carrier, by utilizing Lee’s global networks.

Lee also met directly with the CEO of NTT DoCoMo in 2021 to accelerate negotiations on equipment supply. In 2022, when Samsung was negotiating a 5G communication equipment supply contract with DISH Network in the United States, Lee went on a hike with Charlie Ergen, chairman of the U.S. company, and sealed a deal with him.

In 2020, at the time of striking a long-term mega 5G contract worth 7.9 trillion won with Verizon, the world’s largest mobile carrier, Lee met with Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg in order to discuss cooperation between the two companies.