High spectrum price crowds out investment: Ericsson CEO

The intense legal fight with Reliance Communications (RCom) was needed to drive home the message globally that no one can run away with Ericsson’s money after using its services, CEO Börje Ekholm said. Speaking to ET’s Danish Khan and Devina Sengupta, Ekholm called the legal battle a kind he had never seen, but cautioned it wasn’t yet time to bring out the “champagne” as the Swedish telecom equipment maker hasn’t received the payment yet. Speaking about business, Ekholm said Ericsson will be investing in India to expand its local manufacturing make the country an export hub. He also backed Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea’s views, saying high prices of 5G airwaves will hurt investment in the technology as it would eat into the capital that is left with the telcos. Edited excerpts: