Ericsson needs a range of industries to embrace 5G network services if the equipment maker is to get a long-term boost that would allow it to progress from cost-cutting to expansion.  

For now, the Swedish company is focusing on a cost-savings plan running until 2020 to shore up profitability, hoping that growth will then return as the pace of 5G network upgrades picks up early in the following decade.  

Having struggled with flagging revenue since 4G sales peaked in the middle of the decade, Ericsson is pinning its hopes for revived growth on the emergence of new mobile businesses in 10 broad sectors such as manufacturing, energy and public safety.