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5G human rights
ericsson.com/
human-rights
assessment
March 2021
2 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Contents
03 Executive summary
04 Introduction
04 Why a 5G human rights assessment?
05 Objectives of the assessment
06 Scope of the assessment
06 Methodology of the assessment
09 Steps in the process
10 Ericsson’s business and its responsibility to respect human rights
10 The ICT ecosystem
14 What is 5G?
17 Ericsson’s involvement with human rights impacts
19 Salient human rights issues related to 5G
19 What are salient human rights issues?
19 Salient human rights impacts identified for Ericsson’s 5G business
24 Detailed analysis of salient human rights impact areas
25 Ericsson’s own operations
31 Ericsson suppliers
35 Ericsson’s customers (mobile operators)
44 Ericsson’s involvement with governments
51 Ericsson’s broader societal impacts
58 Cross-cutting actions
58 The Sensitive Business framework
59 Responsible sourcing
60 Remedy and grievance mechanisms
61 Monitoring, governance and stakeholder engagement
61 Monitoring
61 Governance
62 Stakeholder engagement
63 Communication and reporting
64 Conclusion
65 Appendix
3 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Executive summary
The rollout of 5G brings huge benefits – but crucial
human rights risks also need to be addressed.
5G technology has the potential to Based on a comprehensive assessment While Ericsson believes that this
enable a wide range of benefits for methodology, extensive research and report is an important first step in
industries, consumers and society, as a internal and external stakeholder taking responsibility for human rights
result of increased connectivity. As is the consultations, Ericsson has identified a issues connected to 5G technology, it
case with any technology, however, there wide range of impact areas, divided into acknowledges that additional efforts
are crucial human rights risks associated five categories: are required to effectively address the
with intended and unintended misuse. 1. Its own operations identified impact areas so far, and to be
Ericsson believes that access to 2. Its supply chain prepared to act when new issues emerge.
networks and technologies that enable 3. Its customer relationships The aim of this assessment is to be
communication is a basic human need 4. Involvement with governments a starting point for further engagement
that underpins the principles of freedom 5. Broader societal impacts and learning. Customers, suppliers, non-
of expression and opinion, and the free governmental organizations (NGOs),
exchange of ideas and information. It Each category includes distinct impact investors and other stakeholders are
also acknowledges its responsibility to areas and further analysis of the severity of invited to reach out and engage in a
respect human rights as articulated in the the impact, how Ericsson is connected, and constructive dialogue to find joint ways
UN Guiding Principles on Business and the actions needed to mitigate the risk. of working on existing issues, as well as
Human Rights. The first section of this report covers raise concerns on topics that have not
This responsibility entails how the assessment was conducted, and been covered.
continuously conducting human rights then moves on to an overview of the ICT Ericsson is committed to its
due diligence of its operations, products industry and 5G technology. responsibility in the ICT ecosystem, and
and services and business relationships. The bulk of the report provides a urges peers, partners and interested
This human rights assessment is a crucial detailed overview of the identified parties to join this effort.
part of ensuring that risks and impacts salient impact areas connected to 5G
are identified at an early stage of the 5G technology and Ericsson’s business,
rollout, taking action to mitigate risks concluding with a cross-cutting analysis of
and address impacts where needed, as improvement areas and how the findings
well as proposing ways of collaboration of the assessment will be embedded into
across the ICT industry. company policies and procedures.
4 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Introduction
In this report, Ericsson takes an important first step, and proposes
collaboration across the ICT industry to effectively address the
identified impact areas, and prepare for emerging human rights issues.
Why a 5G human rights assessment? This massive disruption has highlighted
40%
Information and communication the value of the network in enabling
technology (ICT) is deeply integrated into critical services to continue to function in
our working and personal lives. Digital providing a safer work environment for
communication is more global, affordable many by working remotely, and in ensuring
and accessible than ever before, enabling ideas and opinions continue to be shared By 2026, 5G is expected to
billions of people to share ideas, acquire shared despite a global lockdown. cover 40 percent of all mobile
knowledge, improve their quality of life While the ICT infrastructure is a crucial subscriptions globally.
and boost livelihoods. ICT also promotes part of our society, bringing benefits
greater transparency and enhances many to users and communities, it is just as
fundamental human rights – such as the important to recognize the inherent risks
right to health, education, freedom of of adverse impacts that a connected
assembly and freedom of expression. society brings. In particular, this relates
Today, the role of ICT is an integral to the potential for misuse of technology
part of society, and its importance and and unintended consequences. The same
prevalence will only increase in the human rights that are enabled and
years to come. Global 4G population strengthened through ICT could also
coverage was around 80 percent at the be infringed and violated using
end of 2019, while 3G coverage was this technology.
around 95 percent. By the end of 2020, Ericsson has therefore decided, at an
5G population coverage is estimated early stage of the 5G rollout, to conduct
to reach 15 percent, equivalent to over this Human Rights Assessment (HRA)
1 billion people. By 2026, 40 percent to identify risks and potential impacts
of all mobile subscriptions globally are connected to the technology. While it
expected to be covered by 5G. Today, continuously identifies, mitigates and
there are around 8 billion mobile addresses human rights risks connected
subscriptions. This figure is estimated to its business through embedded
to increase to 8.9 billion by the end human rights due diligence processes,
of 2025, of which 88 percent will be it is important to proactively recognize
for mobile broadband.¹ the potential for misuse and unintended
The scale and speed of this consequences of new technology.
transformation is unprecedented. The Additionally, as an industry leader
evolving networked society, in which and integral part of the ICT ecosystem,
anything that can be connected will be Ericsson has an important role in shaping
connected, offers tremendous potential. developments in the industry through
As a recent example, the COVID-19 shared learning, best practice and the use
pandemic, requiring social distancing of leverage. By identifying key risks related
and keeping millions at home, has placed to its own operations, it also intends this
significant demands on infrastructure. HRA to be a springboard for constructive
Systems supporting healthcare, multi-stakeholder dialogue about ICT
education and businesses of all types are and human rights – with particular focus
under stress. on emerging and increased challenges
connected to 5G.
¹ Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2020 and November 2020
5 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Objectives of the assessment Companies can affect the human rights
With the upcoming large-scale rollout of 5G of their employees and contract workers,
technology, Ericsson wants to proactively workers in their supply chains, communities
take a human rights approach, by bringing around their operations and customers and
an additional focus to the technology and end users of their products and services.
how it can address potential negative For a more detailed overview of Ericsson’s
impacts. 5G is groundbreaking technology, responsibility in connection to human rights
and core to Ericsson’s future offerings. impacts, see page 17.
It is therefore important to understand Ericsson may be involved with
the potential human rights impacts 5G-related human rights impacts through
connected to it. This assessment looks at its own activities (for example installing 5G
the potentially negative impacts of the base stations) and its supply chain (such as
technology from the perspective of affected factory workers making/building hardware
stakeholders. It aims to identify mitigating components for Ericsson technology),
actions and further stakeholder consultation through to customers (such as misuse
needed to properly address the issues. of technology for intrusive surveillance
The aims of the assessment include purposes). In most cases the impacts are
identifying and prioritizing the most severe not unique, or indeed solely attributable,
(salient) negative human rights impacts to 5G technology (some already exist with
related to the emergence of 5G technology, 3G and 4G technology), but many are
understanding related stakeholder concerns heightened due to the combination of 5G
and setting the internal strategy for with other emerging technologies, such as
preventing and mitigating potential human Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of
rights impacts over time. Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR),
Ericsson is keen to share learnings Big Data and so on.
from the assessment with operators, In many cases, impacts will occur in
global peers, industry initiatives and business relationships and Ericsson will
other interested parties, enabling work with mobile operators, governments
collaborative approaches to addressing and other parties to address these risks.
risks, demonstrating leadership on human For each of these issues, there is a
rights and igniting momentum around responsibility to “know” what the risks are
these topics. and “show” what is being done to prevent
Companies can impact human rights and mitigate them. What follows in this
in multiple ways, through their actions and report is an outline of the key risks identified
decisions (or lack of action) and through through this process, along with initial
their business relationships. suggestions for their mitigation.
6 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment Scope of the assessment Ericsson has previously conducted Ericsson is committed to the UN Guiding 5G is not a limited set of technologies, country-specific human rights impact Principles, which form the foundation of but rather a new generation of assessments, which have also informed its human rights strategy and program. communication and connectivity. It is the work on this report. Based on the The methodologies used for this therefore challenging to effectively limit findings of this assessment, additional technology-based assessment, and those the scope of this HRA to a specific set of country level HRAs will be conducted. for the country-based assessments which products or offerings. For the purpose of preceded it, are intended to be aligned this report, and in order to define a scope, Methodology of the assessment with the UN Guiding Principles. we use the 5G definition as presented in In this assessment, Ericsson collaborated the EU Commission Recommendation with Shift, the leading center of expertise 2019/534. on the United Nations Guiding Principles This report is based on the on Business and Human Rights. Ericsson “5G networks means a set of all understanding of the responsibility to participates in Shift’s Business Learning relevant network infrastructure respect human rights as laid out in the Program, and through this, Shift provides elements for mobile and wireless UN Guiding Principles on Business and advisory support on implementation communications technology Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles of Ericsson’s responsibility to respect used for connectivity and value- or UNGPs). The identified impact areas human rights as laid out in the UN added services with advanced are within the scope of responsibility laid Guiding Principles. For this 5G human performance characteristics out by the UNGPs. It is clear that many rights assessment, Shift advised Ericsson such as very high data rates of these areas are in need of collective, on how to apply the lens of the and capacity, low latency multi-stakeholder action. There are also UN Guiding Principles, including communications, ultra-high likely to be additional impact areas that developing the methodology for reliability, or supporting a high need to be addressed from a societal conducting the assessment, analyzing number of connected devices. perspective, and Ericsson is committed to the business and its involvement with These may include legacy contributing to those where it can. human rights impacts, engaging expert networks elements based on The scope of the impact areas is wide, and other stakeholders, facilitating previous generations of mobile covering its operations, supply chain, internal cross functional workshops, and wireless communications customer relationships and impacts on helping to design creative ways to technology such as 4G or 3G. end users, as well as broader societal build and apply leverage and providing 5G networks should be impacts. This HRA is, however, not a full feedback on how to embed respect for understood to include all relevant company review of Ericsson, across all human rights organizationally. The final parts of the network.”² business and market areas, but focuses report was written by Ericsson, with input on 5G technology and rollout. from Shift. ² EU Commission recommendation 2019/534 of 26 March 2019 Cybersecurity of 5G networks
7 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Guiding Principle 18 sets out that the initial operations, products and services) by
step of a human rights due diligence process consulting with them directly. In the event
is to identify and assess how a company’s that such engagement is not feasible,
activities and business relationships may businesses should consider consulting
pose risks to human rights.³ The process reasonable alternatives, such as credible
involves considering the potential negative proxies who can provide insight into the
impacts of current and planned activities perspectives of affected stakeholders, as
and business relationships on individuals well as independent experts who can bring
and communities, and sets priorities for particular knowledge or expertise in relation
action to mitigate any such risk, based to specific issues, geographical contexts or
on the severity of the risk to people’s other relevant matters.
human rights. Engaging with potentially affected
Through this process, businesses should stakeholders as part of an HRA of
pay particular attention to any human emerging technologies poses practical
rights impacts on individuals or groups that challenges. Firstly, it involves identifying
may be at heightened risk of vulnerability or who qualifies as a potentially affected
marginalization. Given the dynamic nature stakeholder when technology, such as 5G,
of business activity (particularly in relation is so broadly used across sectors in society.
to technology), assessments of human Every user of mobile communication could
rights impacts should be undertaken at potentially be an affected stakeholder.
regular intervals, and ideally, prior to a Secondly, since the rollout of 5G is still
proposed (new) business activity. in its early stages, most identified impacts
To enable businesses to assess their will be potential. Based on this, it was
human rights impacts robustly, they decided to engage mostly with credible
should seek to understand the concerns of proxies, rather than individual users.
potentially affected stakeholders (people The assessment of human rights impacts
and communities whose human rights informs subsequent steps in the human
might be adversely impacted by business rights due diligence process.
³ Human rights due diligence is defined as:
“An ongoing risk management process that a
reasonable and prudent company needs to follow
in order to identify, prevent, mitigate and account
for how it addresses its adverse human rights
impacts. It includes four key steps: assessing actual
and potential human rights impacts; integrating
and acting on the findings; tracking responses; and
communicating about how impacts are addressed.”
8 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Table 1: How this assessment aims to implement guidance on HRAs
and subsequent action as laid out in the UN Guiding Principles
Typical/necessary process element Implementation
according to the UNGPs4 aims
Assess the human rights context Extensive research and consultation with internal and external experts on the
prior to a proposed business activity, nature of the 5G technology and rollout activities and plans.
where possible.
Identify who may be affected. Throughout the process, the assessment has identified and detailed specific
groups of people that could be affected, such as supply chain workers, technology
users, journalists, human rights defenders, Ericsson employees and contract
workers (see page 23).
Pay special attention to human Experts and civil society organizations were consulted to help identify specific
rights impacts on individuals from groups of people that would be particularly vulnerable to impacts. Interviews
groups or populations that may be conducted included individuals and organizations who are at risk and/or work
at heightened risk of vulnerability directly with such groups.
or marginalization.
Bear in mind different risks that may be Several experts and CSO organizations consulted have a specific focus and
faced by women and men. expertise on gender-differentiated impacts of wireless technology.
Include all internationally recognized The assessment has included all rights contained in the International Bill of Human
human rights as a reference point. Rights – meaning the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights and its two Optional Protocols. The assessment also
included the principles concerning fundamental rights set out in the International
Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
Catalog relevant human rights For each identified risk to human rights, the specific internationally recognized
standards and issues. human rights involved were identified, assessed and described.
Project how the proposed activity and As a basis for the assessment, typical relationships and affected people (and the
associated business relationships could human rights at risk) in the 5G ecosystem were mapped and analyzed. Internal
adversely impact the human rights of and external stakeholders were consulted on all aspects, including the severity
potentially affected stakeholders. and likelihood of impacts, and were asked to consider how existing and future 5G
activities could have specific human rights impacts and how Ericsson would be
connected to them.
Undertake at regular intervals. While this is an initial broad assessment of 5G technology and its rollout, Ericsson
intends to regularly revisit the assessment, taking into account new developments
and insights.
Consult with affected stakeholders Some of the civil society groups consulted are likely to face risks themselves. Many
directly; or in situations where such have direct engagement with affected groups and conduct extensive research into
consultation is not possible, consider how technology in general, and 5G in particular, impacts on human rights. Further
reasonable alternatives such as direct engagement with affected stakeholders will be part of the country-based
consulting credible, independent assessments that Ericsson will continue, into which this assessment will be an
expert resources, including human important input.
rights defenders and others from
civil society.
Assessment of human rights impacts Ericsson has identified and developed, in consultation with internal and external
informs subsequent steps in the stakeholders, appropriate actions to address the identified risks.
human rights due diligence process.
4 See commentary to UN Guiding Principles, pages 18–19
9 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Typical/necessary process element Implementation
according to the UNGPs aims
Where a business enterprise causes Many identified risks are likely to occur in relation to Ericsson’s business partners,
or may cause an adverse human governments and other parties in its value chain. As a result, throughout the
rights impact, it should take the assessment and reflected in this report, Ericsson has considered how to build and
necessary steps to cease or prevent apply leverage with partners in response to specific risks.
the impact. If the business enterprise
has leverage to prevent or mitigate
the adverse impact, it should exercise
it. If it lacks leverage, there may be
ways for the enterprise to increase it.
The horizontal integration across the Throughout the assessment and subsequent action planning, Ericsson has
business enterprise of specific findings engaged a wide range of internal functions and business areas to inform and
from assessing human rights impacts understand the risks and devise appropriate responses and actions. It also aims to
can only be effective if its human ensure strong future involvement from relevant functions to identify and address
rights policy commitment has been 5G-related human rights risks on an ongoing basis.
embedded into all relevant business
functions. This is required to ensure that
the assessment findings are properly
understood, given due weight and
acted upon.
Steps in the process
Desktop research Interviews with internal and Workshop to identify key impacts
An initial landscape analysis of external expert stakeholders and develop an action plan
Ericsson’s business and 5G technology In order to fully understand how Key insights from both the stakeholder
was completed. Desktop research was people may be impacted, it is critical interviews and the desktop research
conducted to compile a broad list of to incorporate into the assessment formed the basis of an initial analysis
potential people-related impacts, along process the perspectives of those of impacts that were presented and
with an understanding of the status of people whose human rights could discussed at a day-long Ericsson workshop
industry discussions on each topic. be impacted by 5G technology. Only attended by a broad cross-section of
through dialogue, engagement and internal stakeholders. These included
sharing of experiences can a full picture representatives from all business areas
emerge of the human rights impacts as well as group functions such as
that they may be experiencing. Technology, Legal Affairs, People (Human
Central to the assessment process Resources) and Government Relations.
is engagement with potentially The analysis of each potential impact
affected stakeholders and experts was tested with the group and further
and organizations who can credibly insights were gathered to help inform the
reflect these perspectives. In parallel prioritization of the issues.
with a range of internal interviews, Following on from the workshop some
gathering perspectives across the further, clarifying desktop research
business, Ericsson and Shift also held was conducted, as well as additional
interviews with a number of carefully interviews with experts and civil society
selected experts and organizations organizations to discuss an initial list of
such as the Global Network Initiative identified potential human rights impacts
and Access Now, as well as follow-on related to 5G. Based on the outcomes of
interviews with select regional and local the workshop and stakeholder dialogues,
civil society organizations conducting detailed internal discussions were also
research and outreach on digital and held to identify effective and viable actions
human rights. A list of interviews is to mitigate the risks, as well as plan for
contained in the appendix. further engagements.
10 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Ericsson’s business and
its responsibility to respect
human rights
This section explores the workings of the ICT ecosystem, what 5G is, and its global
impact; and assesses Ericsson’s involvement with human rights impacts and the
opportunities for applying leverage and building collaboration.
The ICT ecosystem Network vendors
Ericsson, headquartered in
The ICT sector consists of a wide range Network vendors, such as Ericsson,
Sweden and founded in 1876, is
of companies delivering products and provide fixed and wireless telecom
one of the leading providers of ICT
services, such as mobile operators, network equipment, solutions and
infrastructure. Its main customers
network vendors, web-based platforms, software, such as switches, routers
are mobile operators, and it operates
component and hardware manufacturers and radio base stations. The role of the
in more than 180 countries, with
and software developers. It is important vendor is to build the infrastructure
approximately 100,000 employees
to note that the telecom industry is that provides the basis for all fixed
worldwide.
highly regulated, requiring companies and mobile communications. Network
Ericsson’s portfolio is divided
in the sector to comply with licensing vendors do not deal directly with issues
into four business areas: Networks,
and standardization requirements. involving third-party requests, such
Digital Services, Managed Services
Government authorities and regulatory as government demands to remove or
and Emerging Business:
bodies therefore also play an important block online content, requests for user
• Networks – developing, delivering
role in the ecosystem. information, or network shutdowns.
and supporting telecom networks
The different actors share a strong The main customers of network vendors
by providing hardware, software
degree of interdependence. However, the are mobile operators. Vendors are not
and services
type of human rights risks they face – as consumer-facing.
• Digital Services – enabling
well as their capacity to address them Ericsson does not manufacture
digitalization through services
– may vary considerably, depending on surveillance technology, but does
such as network management and
their place and role in the value chain. enable lawful interception functionality
operations, revenue and customer
Understanding these interdependencies, through interfaces in our networks,
management, communication
as well as the unique roles of each actor, when required by law. It is important to
services, core network and
better enables companies to effectively distinguish between lawful interception
network functions virtualization,
identify and address salient human rights and intrusive surveillance technologies
infrastructure and application
risks and create opportunities to cooperate that enable mass surveillance. The
development and maintenance
in addressing risks and exercising leverage. former is a legally mandated and
• Managed Services – managing,
In order to better understand the standardized interception capability,
maintaining and optimizing
context in which Ericsson operates and while the latter is often unregulated and
telecom networks and IT
is potentially involved with human rights allows for arbitrary surveillance.
operations on behalf of customers
impacts, the scope of the identified key Mass surveillance, in contrast to
• Emerging Business – accelerating
impact areas (discussed in the next lawful interception, refers to the bulk
new and sustainable businesses
chapter), and the types of actions that are access and/or collection of many users’
beyond Ericsson’s traditional
undertaken to address them, this section communications without prior suspicion
core business; for example,
of the report provides an overview of of individual targets. The basics of
through technologies such as AI,
the ICT ecosystem and the major actors lawful interception are explained under
automation, IoT connectivity,
within it. the relevant impact area of this report.
virtual reality (VR)/AR and
edge computing11 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment Mobile operators It is important to note that these requests Mobile operators provide local and and capabilities in many cases are used international telecommunications for legitimate purposes such as public services to users; both voice and data, safety, emergency response and crime including internet access. Operators are prevention. It is, however, also possible granted licenses to operate and obtain to misuse the technology in ways that spectrum allocation by governments adversely impact human rights. This will in each country of operations, and be further explained in the “Detailed therefore have ongoing relationships analysis of salient human rights impact with governments. areas” section (see page 24) of this report. The contracts to provide telecom The necessary technology services, between a government and enabling such functionality is also the operator, typically include legal highly standardized by regional and obligations to provide interception international standardization bodies. capabilities as part of the license to operate. Operators are also required to respond to government requests to remove or block online content, or temporarily shut down networks.
12 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Figure 1: The ICT ecosystem Governments
Manage and allocate radio spectrum,
set regulatory frameworks, establish
laws for the ICT industry and have
various enforcement mechanisms
Standardization bodies
Produce voluntary
standards, rules and
technical specifications
for ensuring quality and
interoperability for the Mobile operators
ICT industry Provide telecommunications
services to users
Connected industries ICT
Increasingly utilize IoT
devices, dedicated networks ecosystem
and AI solutions
Network vendors
Build the infrastructure that
provides the basis for all fixed
and mobile communications
Hardware manufacturers
Produce devices such as mobile
phones, laptops and tablets, as well as
cars, home appliances and accessories
Third-party application companies
Offer entertainment, business,
health and education apps.
Downloaded by consumers to
mobile devices, via marketplaces
such as Apple Store and Google Play Over the top companies (OTTs)
Provide internet-based services like
search, email, banking and commerce
Over the top companies (OTTs) Such devices often include apps that Connected industries
OTTs include internet service providers, need personally identifiable information, The current industry transformation
enterprise and security software such as location-based services, to make towards smart factories and automation
developers, IT service firms and content optimal use of the functionality. With an requires manufacturing sites, logistics
providers offering internet-based services, increased number of connected devices, and distribution centers to be connected,
including search, email, banking and the additional amount of generated data in order to secure reliable communication
commerce, social networking, content, can have human rights implications if not between a growing number of remote-
location-based services and weather managed correctly. controlled and autonomous robots and
information, as well as a wide range of The supply chain of hardware automated guided vehicles on the factory
applications, databases, storage and manufacturers is often complex and floors. Furthermore, companies in all sectors
cloud computing and software. opaque, with several tiers of component are increasingly using private, dedicated
A distinction could be made between manufacturers between the final networks for internal communications.
service/app providers that provide an app assembly sites and the mining operations This development means that other
that the user downloads to the device, as extracting minerals and metals vital for industries are also becoming part of the ICT
opposed to one native on their device or the functioning of the end products. ecosystem, and facing issues connected to
which uses a browser and thus resides data generated through IoT devices and
entirely in the cloud. Third-party application companies dedicated networks, as well as questions of
These companies offer apps in areas trustworthy AI.
Hardware and component manufacturers such as entertainment, business, health
Hardware manufacturers produce and education. They are downloaded by
devices such as mobile phones, laptops consumers to their mobile devices, via
and tablets, as well as cars, home marketplaces such as Apple Store and More devices and more data mean
appliances and accessories, which are Google Play. Many app providers rely potential human rights risks.
increasingly connected to the internet on the use of personal information to
through 5G. provide and optimize services to users.13 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Governments Standardization bodies spectrum, while 3GPP organizes
Governments set regulatory frameworks National, regional or international meetings almost monthly to prepare and
and establish laws for the ICT industry and organizations produce voluntary discuss change requests against 3GPP
have various mechanisms for enforcing standards (a set of rules or technical specifications. These change requests
such national laws. Mobile operators specifications for ensuring quality may correct existing standards or
are granted a license to operate from and interoperability) for the ICT introduce new functionality and include
the government. Despite widespread industry. These standards are essential all aspects of mobile systems (including
privatization of the telecom industry, to create global communication systems security standards to secure privacy and
some operators are still wholly or partly and ecosystems. Furthermore, technical to prevent data loss and misuse).
state-owned. standards, such as the specifications Ericsson is actively participating in
Government oversight primarily created by 3GPP (see below), enable the standardization bodies relevant for mobile
concerns services and content, not best technology to emerge and are key communication systems and promotes
equipment, and therefore impacts to ensuring robust choices for consumers open, transparent and consensus-
operators and other service providers and competition in the marketplace. based standardization processes.
more directly than equipment vendors. Standardization organizations relevant
Governmental regulatory agencies are for mobile communications include:
tasked with ensuring compliance with laws • International Telecommunication
7
and regulations and establishing rules. Union (ITU) – a specialized agency
Their role may include: of the United Nations responsible for
• implementing the authorization all matters related to information and
framework that allows companies communication technologies
and investors to establish new ICT • 3G Partnership Project (3GPP) – 3GPP is a group of seven telecom
businesses and provide ICT services a consortium of seven national standards organizations responsible
• regulating competition or regional telecommunication for developing and maintaining 2G,
• regulating network interconnection standards organizations responsible 3G, 4G and 5G standards.
• implementing universal service/access for development and maintenance for
mechanisms to ensure the widespread 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G standards
(and affordable) diffusion of ICT • Internet Engineering Task
Force (IETF) – an open standards
Managing and allocating the radio organization developing internet
spectrum, law enforcement and standards, in particular
first responders are integral to the the standards that comprise the
government’s role in the ICT ecosystem. internet protocol suite
Law enforcement officers seek access
to certain information in networks for Every three or four years, the ITU organizes
the fulfillment of their duties, while first World Radiocommunication Conferences
responders need critical location and other to review and revise the international treaty
information to respond to emergencies. governing the use of the radio-frequency14 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
What is 5G? Figure 2: Mobile network generations
Each new generation of
mobile networks has brought
significant developments in how The first generation of mobile networks enabled wireless
we communicate and the role
1G voice communication
digitalization plays in our society,
and has enabled new business
models to grow.
The second generation increased digitalization and
This section of the report provides 2G provided new services like SMS
an overview of how 5G works and
highlights a number of use cases
relevant for Ericsson, as examples of
what 5G will enable. The third generation provided mobile web
Overall, 5G will exponentially
3G browsing capabilities
increase the capacity and efficacy
of networks, compared to previous
generations. Data will become
The fourth generation enabled the smartphone,
the most important form of 4G mobile video streaming and higher data speeds
communication, rather than voice and
SMS. Download and upload speeds
will become considerably faster, and
latency, or the time it takes devices to The fifth generation is the next leap in mobile communications,
communicate with wireless networks, 5G enabling a wide range of new use cases and capabilities
will also drastically decrease.
Spectrum
An important concept to understand Mobile telecommunications networks
when talking about mobile consist of four major domains:
communication in general, and
5G specifically, is spectrum. Unlike The device – such as a The core network (CN)
previous generations, 5G operates on smartphone, a tablet provides coordination
three different spectrum bands: device or a router – between different parts
• Low-band spectrum is the primary is also called the user of the access network
band used today for 4G networks equipment and connectivity to
• Mid-band spectrum provides faster the internet
speeds and lower latency
• High-band spectrum is also referred The radio access The transport network
to as millimeter wave network (RAN) uses provides connectivity
radio frequencies between the RAN and
to provide wireless the CN
connectivity to
the devices
Figure 3: Spectrum
Low-band spectrum Mid-band spectrum High-band spectrum
• Slower speed (will not reach beyond • Faster speed (up to 1Gbps) • Highest speed (up to 10Gbps)
approximately 100Mbps) and lower latency and significantly lower latency
• Limited use cases • Fail to penetrate buildings as • Low coverage area and poorer
• Coverage over large areas and effectively as low-band spectrum building penetration
effective wall penetration • Require an increased number of small
cells to function (low-power base
stations to cover smaller areas)15 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Use cases Access to healthcare vastly exceeds the safe reaction time. With
Lower latency, faster data speeds and From specialist oncology to simple ailment 5G supporting the solution, these problems
higher spectrum bands will enable new diagnosis, a large percentage of the world’s are sidestepped.
and enhanced use cases throughout population cannot reach or afford the 5G connectivity enables much
society. Below are a few examples healthcare professionals that they need greater bandwidth usage, while intelligent
showcasing how 5G can be used. to treat them. Higher bandwidth, low network slicing separates and prioritizes
latency and network slicing can effectively mission-critical functions, such as machine
Safer manufacturing through contribute to increase specialist medical communication, which is required for
factory automation resources in remote regions. The ability to the surgery. Most importantly, the low-
With 5G Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency allow the remote transfer of haptic, tactile, latency attributes of 5G mean the haptic
Communication (5G URLLC), automated audio and visual technologies enables a feedback is felt in near real-time through
assembly processes become more stable surgeon or doctor to perform a diagnosis or the surgeon’s gloves.
and reliable, while increasing the personal even surgery on a patient anywhere in the Another use case within the healthcare
safety of factory workers. Humans and world. The principle of the solution is simple. sector is Narrowband Internet of
robots will be able to interact and work A doctor uses specialized haptic Things (NB-IoT), which enables a
together; a machine can, for example, lift feedback gloves and VR equipment wide range of devices and services to
heavy objects, while the worker attaches to operate on a patient via a robotic be wirelessly connected using cellular
components. counterpart, potentially thousands of telecommunications bands. NB-IoT has
For this to work, the robot needs to miles away. The gloves provide touch broad practical applications, but one of
be in constant communication with the feedback from sensors on the robot arms, the most crucial is how it can be used
factory, the workers and its surroundings. and the VR equipment places the surgeon to improve standards of healthcare.
It needs to be mobile and have in the same sensory environment as the With NB-IoT, equipment can be fully
complete physical range of motion and patient. The combination of these two integrated via the cloud, which allows for
environmental sensors. technologies removes both the obstacle enhanced data gathering and analysis and
The sensors will also detect if a of distance and the burden of travel cost, dramatically boosts machine
factory worker reaches into their range giving patients access to specialists, no efficiency and the reliability of
and, due to low latency, instantly stop, matter where they are located. network communications.
thereby preventing injuries. This instant The ideas of remote healthcare and
response with guaranteed reliability robotic surgery are not completely new,
is not possible through traditional but the introduction of 5G provides a
10ms
Wi-Fi or previous-generation mobile new dimension and enables reliable
networks, meaning that such machines communication that has the ability to
have historically required restrictive perform mission-critical procedures.
wired technology. For example, to operate safely, a
Automation in industries such as surgeon needs to be able to react to To operate safely, a surgeon
mining, considered a highly hazardous physical and visual stimuli in under needs to be able to react to
environment, can also reduce work- 10 milliseconds. When operating remotely, physical and visual stimuli in
related injuries and fatalities, as well these stimuli will need to be delivered under 10 milliseconds.
as reducing CO2 emissions by increased over a network, but the time required to
efficiency of the vehicles. compress and decompress video content16 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Autonomous vehicles There are a wide range of AR/VR benefits to society, this report focuses on
While self-driving vehicles will be made applications in different sectors, ranging the risks associated with the technology.
possible and safer as a result of lower from education to customer service and The next sections will elaborate on
latency in 5G, this is still some way in the interactive meetings. By establishing a key impact areas, discuss potential
future. Connected vehicle technology, on reliable and adaptable system through mitigations and ways forward to ensure
the other hand, is already becoming a vital virtualization and software capabilities that the rollout of 5G does not bring
part of road safety. Cellular technology has that enable high speed and low unintended consequences of adverse
a role to play in reducing traffic incidents; latency, 5G can allow tactile, visual and human rights impacts.
human error is far more likely to cause sound data to be shared in a way that
accidents than overtly dangerous driving. combines immersive technology and
Cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) physical existence.
will enable vehicles to automatically respond The inclusion of network slicing can
to objects, such as road signs, hazards also guarantee specific resources to
and people crossing the street, almost support the differing demands of each
instantaneously. The use cases require service or application. For instance, with
near-immediate response times in order to the power of 5G, an expert mechanic can
increase safety outcomes on the road. use tactile gloves when demonstrating
With an average 5G latency of 10ms, how to replace a car engine; at the same
compared to 50–100ms for 4G, a car time, the students can follow the expert
connected through 5G would for example via separate AR/VR goggles as if they
significantly reduce the distance traveled are there in the same room. At work, we
before fully stopping, which could be the will be able to have virtual meetings
difference between life and death. where it appears as if two people are
sitting together in a room, allowing for
AR and VR more interactive 3D experiences rather
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown than today’s video conferences.
the need to interact, engage and stay These are just a few examples of what
connected, even in times of crisis. 5G 5G will bring to industries, consumers
will make AR and VR applications more and key societal functions. While the use
immersive, far more interactive cases presented aim at solving current-
and accessible. day challenges and provide clear17 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Ericsson’s involvement with Expected response Ericsson’s opportunities
human rights impacts5 Where a company causes a negative for applying leverage
The UN Guiding Principles, which form human rights impact, it should take Ericsson is expected to use its leverage
the basis for this assessment and for the necessary steps to cease or prevent where it is involved with an impact
Ericsson’s understanding of its human the impact and remediate it. While together with one or more third parties,
rights responsibilities, describe three ways addressing such impacts will frequently or where an impact is otherwise
in which a company can be involved with be within a company’s control, leverage directly linked to its operations,
human rights impacts.6 may be relevant in certain instances, products or services through a business
1. It may cause the impact through its such as where a company is under relationship. Leverage is defined as
own activities. pressure to take actions that would the ability to effect change in the
2. It may contribute to the impact through harm human rights (for example, by wrongful practices of a third party that
its own activities – either directly or a government or by the purchasing causes harm. In other words, leverage
through another entity (government, decisions of a buyer). is a company’s ability to influence the
business or other). Where a company contributes, or may behavior of others.
3. It may neither cause nor contribute to contribute, to a negative human rights Leverage is at the heart of what
the impact, but be involved because impact, it should take the necessary steps companies can realistically be expected
the impact is caused by an entity with to cease or prevent its contribution and to do when faced with complex human
which it has a business relationship and use its leverage with others to mitigate rights challenges. While a dominant
is linked to its own operations, products any remaining impact to the greatest or influential commercial position in a
or services. extent possible. It should also take steps business relationship is likely to help a
to ensure the remediation of any actual company’s ability to use leverage, it is
The nature of a company’s response in impact that has occurred, including in important not to consider leverage in
each of these three scenarios (cause, some instances by providing remedy to purely commercial terms.
contribution, linkage) varies according to: the extent of its contribution. Many companies are likely to face
• whether the company primarily needs to Where a negative impact is directly situations in which they lack such a
change its own practices (when it causes linked to a company’s operations, commercial position and need to
that impact or it contributes to it), or products or services through a business think creatively about how to build
to use leverage to effect change in the relationship, the company has a sufficient leverage.
practices of a third party (contribution forward-looking responsibility to seek to Ultimately, leverage is about
and linkage) prevent the impact from continuing creating the opportunity to change
• whether the action required is solely or recurring. how people think and behave. In the
forward-looking and preventative, or This business relationship may be context of the Guiding Principles,
also includes remedying (or contributing a direct one, or with an entity more it is about changing the thinking
to remedy for) past impacts remote in the company’s value chain. and behavior of key people within a
In a linkage situation, one of the most supplier, contractor, business partner,
See page 31 for more detail of specific effective ways of deploying leverage customer, client or government,
impacts Ericsson can be involved with may be to attempt to influence those where that organization’s actions are
and whether it causes, contributes to, or that have caused the impact to increasing risk to human rights.
is linked to such impacts. provide remedy.
5 Doing Business With Respect for Human Rights
6 OHCHR’s The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights: An Interpretative Guide New York and Geneva, 2012, p. 1518 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment
Table 2: How Ericsson uses leverage
Type of Existing or potential
leverage examples for Ericsson
A. Traditional commercial leverage: Leverage that sits For example, human rights expectations (aligned with the
within the activities a company routinely undertakes in UNGPs) in supplier contracts and customer agreements and
commercial relationships, such as contracting. bidding processes.
B. Broader business leverage: Leverage that a company Offering human rights training to suppliers and/or other
can exercise on its own, but through activities that are business partners and joint supplier-buyer assessments.
not routine or typical in commercial relationships, such as
capacity building.
C. Leverage together with business peers: Created through Peer-learning initiatives such as joint action platforms for
collective action with other companies in or beyond the specific salient issues that are prevalent in the industry (for
same industry. example privacy and surveillance, trustworthy AI).
D. Leverage through bilateral engagement: Generated Undertaking joint HRAs with an NGO, financier or export
through engaging bilaterally with one or more other actors, credit agency; collaboration with international union
such as government, business peers, an international federation on labor rights; engaging a government on
organization or a civil society organization. aligning ICT laws with human rights standards.
E. Leverage through multi-stakeholder collaboration: Multi-stakeholder industry initiative (Global Network
Generated through action collectively with business peers, Initiative); supporting multi-stakeholder campaign for
governments, international organizations and/or civil mandatory human rights due diligence legislation; engaging
society organizations. in multi-party initiative on strengthening responsible AI.
Thinking about leverage broadly Where a company remains Building the option for termination
In determining what action to take, unsuccessful in preventing and/or on human rights grounds into a
Ericsson can consider, in consultation mitigating the risks in its value chain, relationship right from the start is an
with its stakeholders, the above listed it needs to consider the following important source of leverage in itself
types of leverage and select what factors when thinking about ending a and the threat of termination can, in
type (or combination) could be most relationship on human rights grounds, some cases, be a powerful incentive for
effective given a specific human where possible in consultation with improved performance.
rights risk in a specific situation.7 relevant stakeholders:
It can be helpful to identify • The severity of the negative
specific moments in establishing and impacts involved
maintaining a business relationship • The extent to which the company has
when there may be a particular tried to use leverage and/or has run out
opportunity to exercise leverage, of options for building further leverage
for example when a new customer • Whether or not the relationship is a
or supplier agreement is being crucial one for the company (does
negotiated, provision of certain it provide an essential product or
assistance or implementation of service for which no reasonable
monitoring requirements, or when a alternative exists)
complaint or grievance is logged • Whether there would be other negative
and processed. human rights impacts as a result of
ending the relationship
7 The five types of leverage can be found in: Shift: Using Leverage in Business Relationships to Reduce Human Rights Risks, New York (2013)19 Ericsson | 5G human rights assessment Salient human rights issues related to 5G Salient human rights issues discussed in this section may be affected by the rollout of 5G. Ericsson has identified key areas ranging from job impacts, to accidents and the misuse of personal data. What are salient human rights issues?8 A secondary factor in the determination Human rights impacts are the most acute of salient human rights issues is the Salient human rights impacts social, environmental and economic likelihood of these impacts occurring, by identified for Ericsson’s 5G business impacts a company can have on people, examining the business environment, In the course of the assessment, negatively impacting on their enjoyment business relationships, the type of a number of salient human rights of certain of their human rights. Salient business activity and the prevalence of issues were identified. human rights issues are in turn the most vulnerable groups of people. The most • Salient risk areas: Among the severe human rights impacts. They stand severe issues that have the greatest many potential impacts and out because they are at risk of the most likelihood of occurrence are the ones human rights issues identified, severe negative impact in connection with that the company should prioritize for there were some impacts that the company’s operations or value chain. action, although a low-likelihood, could be grouped together in They are the human rights priorities for high-severity impact should be among similar categories (such as health the company. They need the most urgent the salient issues. concerns, privacy, data loss and attention to prevent actual harm from The assessment should be misuse), which we termed human happening, or to manage the harm that informed by an understanding of the rights risk areas. has occurred. perspectives of those people who • Potential impacts: Within each In practice, impacts that rise to this level could be impacted, and conclusions risk area, the impacts that were of severity converge strongly with risk to should be tested with stakeholders identified during the process the business, as seen in the many instances inside and outside the company. Once are categorized. where they lead to reputation-damaging a company understands its salient • Human rights affected: Most campaigns, disruption and delays to human rights issues, it has taken a key identified impacts potentially operations, increased costs of managing initial step towards implementing the affect multiple specific conflict, litigation and other costs or loss in UN Guiding Principles. internationally recognized human value to the business. This is particularly The concept of “salience” provides rights. These are described in evident over the medium to long term. companies with a robust method for detail in the “Detailed analysis of The idea of “salience” is central to the UN identifying the most important human salient human rights impact areas” Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights issues, assessed through an section (see page 24) of this report Rights, which are the global standard in understanding of what the company and in a non-exhaustive overview this field. To identify a company’s salient does, where it works and who it table for each risk area. human rights issues, a company needs works with, and informed by, but not • Potentially impacted people: to map out the various impacts it could derived from, the views of the most Where possible the specific be involved with across its operations relevant stakeholders. Given the strong individuals or groups of individuals and value chain. It then identifies which convergence between the most severe have been identified. These are impacts would be most severe by assessing impacts on people and risks to the again described in detail in the how grave they would be (the scale of the business, this method can also identify ”Detailed analysis of salient impact), how widespread (the scope) and issues that are “material” to the business human rights impact areas” how difficult the impact would be to put under most definitions, provided they section and in the following tables. right (remediability). take a medium- to long-term view.9 8 UN Guiding Principles 9 Salient Human Rights Issues
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