Ericsson has made significant strides in advancing networks for enterprises with the introduction of a “wireless-first” architecture. This new solution integrates high-end 5G and Wi-Fi capabilities, focusing on enhancing business-critical AI applications. The architecture incorporates Release 17-level 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite support within a centrally managed platform.
This next-generation network aims to support distributed business sites with resilient, scalable, and secure connectivity solutions. It features network slicing and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) alongside integrated LAN/WAN management, ensuring it caters to organizations aiming to harness AI’s capabilities efficiently. According to a statement by Ericsson, “From virtual experts in insurance offices to computer vision applications in remote healthcare clinics, distributed sites increasingly rely on always-on connectivity to support business-critical operations and deliver modern customer experiences.”
Ericsson anticipates that by 2026, 90% of enterprises will have embedded generative AI in their operations. The Ericsson solution promises to deliver future-proof infrastructure that caters to this forecast in areas such as network security, sliced network management, and performance predictability, simplifying complex system setups for AI-driven applications. The Release-17 capabilities it provides are a precursor to features expected in Release 18.
A standout component of the offering is the Cradlepoint E400 router, recognized for its ability to support intricate WAN with 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and LEO satellite capabilities. This architecture supports eSIM and dual-SIM technologies, reinforcing the flexibility and adaptability of modern connectivity solutions.
Central to Ericsson’s vision is its NetCloud Manager, a central orchestration network tool acquired from Cradlepoint. This tool streamlines management across varied enterprise carrier networks, offering unified control over devices, SIMs, security, LAN solutions, and more, ensuring complex networks remain manageable without excessive technical overhead.
The network optimizes traffic through SD-WAN, SASE, and link bonding, fortifying connectivity across wired, cellular, and satellite links. This ensures that enterprises can isolate secure 5G slices for specific business use cases, which is crucial for modern enterprise networks focused on supporting AI applications.
Pankaj Malhotra, head of enterprise networking and security at Ericsson, remarked, “With 5G’s increased speed and decreased latency, businesses not only consider 5G a wire replacement but also see it as a means to innovate and transform their business. At Ericsson, we are removing the complexities of LAN architecture, security, cellular management, and multi-WAN optimization with an integrated architecture under a single management platform.”
