A statement from Ericsson said it would supply WIND Hellas with its container -based dual-mode 5G Core technology through a number of use cases.

"Ericsson will deliver a powerful transformation to Wind Hellas’ existing 2G/3G/4G packet core and signalling infrastructure and enable them to deploy their first standalone 5G network," the Swedish firm said.

"The secure, cloud-native, container-based Ericsson dual-mode 5G Core will allow WIND Hellas to meet customers' increasing demand for data as well as pursue new opportunities in emerging enterprise segments supported by enhanced capabilities such as network slicing."

WIND Hellas is the smallest of the three mobile telecommunications companies in Greece, with the others being COSMOTE and Vodafone. WIND had 4.4 million active subscribers in September 2010, according to Wikipedia, which added that the numbers after 2015 had been made confidential.

However, a Greek Government report in 2017 indicated that the company had between 15% and 25% of active mobile users and 10% to 15% of the fixed telephony base.

WIND Hellas chairman and chief executive Nassos Zarkalis said: “We are excited about the collaboration with Ericsson for the country’s 5G network modernisation.

"Our ambitious undertaking is to build a state of the art, secure 5G core network that will create new possibilities for Greece and create value to society at large, businesses, and our customers, by delivering enhanced high-speed services and compelling experiences."

Ericsson Europe and Latin America president Arun Bansal said: “Ericsson’s leading dual-mode, 5G Core is vital to WIND Hellas’ goal of being a technology pioneer while also keeping security a clear priority.

"With our leading 5G portfolio, we are enabling WIND Hellas to develop new 5G use cases that will transform everything from healthcare to culture in Greece.

"With all of these exciting opportunities, 5G offers the economic boost that Greece needs, and we are very proud to be behind this digital revolution.”