Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform expands to support core network automation

• Ericsson announces the expansion of its Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) to support core networks, creating a unified RAN and Core network automation solution for Communication Service Providers (CSPs)
• The expansion means Ericsson is the first to introduce the concept of, and ability to run, new core-specific automation applications (cApps)
• Ericsson is also introducing a new data streaming capability in Ericsson Network Manager, Ericsson Stream Processing and Enrichment (ESPE), to enable online low latency, closed-loop automation
• The expansion is the latest evolution to Ericsson’s portfolio, supporting CSPs’ ambitious Autonomous Networks transformation goals

Ericsson today announced a major expansion of its Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP), extending its proven open, multi-vendor automation capabilities from the Radio Access Network (RAN) domain to include core networks.

This evolution creates a unified, open RAN and core automation platform that accelerates Communication Service Providers’ (CSPs) Autonomous Networks transformation and empowers them to streamline operations, optimize costs, and deliver a more resilient and higher performing core network that provides a premium experience.

The new capabilities are accompanied by the introduction of a new data streaming capability in Ericsson Network Manager (ENM), Ericsson Stream Processing and Enrichment (ESPE). Part of ENM’s overall evolution towards strengthening its capabilities in core network, ESPE acts as a network-wide single source of truth for low-latency network event data, collecting streaming data from Ericsson RAN and core nodes, and ORAN RAN nodes, in real-time, handling the processing, enrichment, exposure and replication of the data as needed.

Anders Vestergren, Head of Network Automation at Ericsson says: “By expanding the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform to the core, we are providing our customers with a critical central enabler for their Autonomous Network journey. The expanded EIAP will unify the management and automation of RAN and core networks, provide a single source of truth for network topology and resource data through the central resource layer, and deliver reliable low-latency data from ENM’s streaming capability (ESPE). It gives CSPs a simplified route to deploying complex, high-value differentiated services with real control over cost and complexity.”

Monica Zethzon, Head of Core Networks at Ericsson says, “Bringing the automation capabilities of EIAP to the core domain is not about adding new features or tools, it’s about fundamentally re-engineering how automation can work across key telecom domains to deliver real autonomy and business results. The expansion is a foundation for our Ericsson Intelligent Core that will give CSPs the ability to radically simplify operations and turn their networks into true engines of innovation.”

Rob Soni, VP RAN Technology, AT&T, says: “AT&T is building the most intelligent and resilient network, and this means embracing automation across every layer of our network and operations. Ericsson's expansion of EIAP to include core network automation is a significant step forward for the industry. Having a single platform running cApps and rApps gives operators a critical tool for delivering on the vision of a truly autonomous network, harnessing the power of Agentic AI, that can sense, decide, and act in real time.” 

Philipp Bichsel, Executive Vice President, Mobile Network and Services, Swisscom says: “Swisscom’s goal is straightforward - provide the best mobile customer experience, driven by data in an automated way. Ericsson has been a valuable partner in this mission, with its EIAP and rApp ecosystem forming a vital element in our constant evolution towards higher levels of autonomy. With this expansion of the platform’s capabilities to include management of core network and providing a platform for cApps, Ericsson has given the market a powerful tool for building on early success with introducing RAN automation, extending those abilities to help deliver an autonomous and programable network end-to-end.”

Roberto Kompany, Principal Analyst, Mobile Infrastructure, Omdia, says: “Introducing autonomy in core networks has become a strategic solution to address the challenges CSPs now face in delivering high-performing, resilient, scalable, and secure networks, all while addressing growing customer demands for agility and innovation. This latest addition to the rapidly expanding Ericsson portfolio that supports CSPs autonomous networks transformation will give its customers a valuable, flexible, centralized platform alongside an innovation ecosystem for applications to power autonomy across multiple domains.”

The expansion comes as CSPs around the world focus their efforts on Autonomous Network evolution. At the end of last year, 68 percent of CSPs had commercially deployed network or service automation in their networks, with 8 percent claiming deployment at scale. Simultaneously, core network automation is becoming recognised as central to that change and demand for the capability is increasing, driven by technologically advanced CSP’s that have been recognised already as leaders in RAN automation.

The expanded EIAP and the enhanced network data management functionality directly addresses this industry demand by providing a consolidated, open platform for automating both RAN and core networks. Ericsson’s EIAP is used already by CSPs such as AT&T, Swisscom, Telstra, Vodafone and others for managing single and multi-vendor networks, and the company has over 150 contracts with global CSPs for 5G Core or cloud-native core. This cross-portfolio footprint illustrates the potential impact across the industry of this new automation capability.

This expansion means the EIAP, which currently runs rApps, will also be able to run new AI-driven cApps – automation applications for the core network that empower CSPs to intelligently adapt network behavior to achieve business objectives. The evolving EIAP means emerging cApps and rApps will be able to act as intelligent AI agents that tap into agentic AI-driven capabilities built into the EIAP platform itself.

Ericsson is developing use cases which will become cApps. Initially, cApps will address two main use case areas: network use cases which will improve resiliency and performance, and service-oriented use cases which will ensure customers gain a premium experience. Ericsson’s thriving rApp ecosystem, with its 100+ available rApps from over 100 members, will act as a model for a similar cApp ecosystem, with an open development platform and resources enabling member innovation.

For details, please see the EIAP webpage.