- Ericsson's enterprise chief talked autonomous networks at its Unwired event
- The unit is spending on private 5G and neutral host, as well as its software and AI layer
- She is hoping that these coming autonomous networks will become predictive over time
Ericsson believes connectivity is one of the keys to unlocking the tech stack so that enterprises can make better use of data and employ new technologies like AI.
Åsa Tamsons, SVP and head of business area enterprise wireless solutions, said at the Ericsson Unwired event this week that the division is working on systems and products to connect “remote places” and assets that “are not connected or not as efficiently connected” or may not have the ability to offer AI at the edge or live-streaming capabilities.
“We’re trying to address use cases that...can really help put lights on those dark spots,” she stated. “There is a boundless opportunity on how you can improve and leverage that technology to increase the productivity of the business. At the same time, the pace is higher than ever before and the funds are not limited."
Predictive networks
Ericsson acquired Cradlepoint in 2020 to boost its enterprise connectivity capabilities, and followed with the purchase of enterprise security company Ericom in 2023. A few years on and the division appears to be gaining steam. In September, Ericsson told analysts that 90% of their private network deployments have moved from the trial stage to production deployments.
In terms of where things are headed next, Tamsons said that Ericsson's enterprise unit is investing a lot in the AI layer in an attempt to drive more autonomous networks. This could deliver on the promise of “self-managed networks which solve problems that you don’t have to manually solve all the time,” she said. Over time these could even become predictive networks that can fix problems before they even happen, she suggested.
“The tech stack is becoming more and more complex as you attach even more assets across your business but you also want simplicity,” she said.
Tamsons said that right now the former Cradlepoint unit is also investing in its software layer for new opportunities and the future. And of course, it is also working on its wireless WAN, private cellular and neutral host products for enterprise users.