Equipment vendors Ericsson and Cisco are buddying up to jointly develop services for next-generation networks.
In a wide-reaching partnership, the companies will collaborate on network architectures for 5G and IoT in addition to product services covering routing, data centre, networking, cloud, mobility and management and control.
The partnership will also focus on developing the IoT ecosystem by helping to accelerate scale and adoption, with Ericsson and Cisco collaborating on everything from devices and sensors to access and core networks.
Customers will also be able to call on the companies’ “complementary capabilities” in consulting, integration and global service support.
Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson said: “We share the same vision of the network’s strategic role at the centre of every company’s and every industry’s digital transformation.
“Initially the partnership will focus on service providers, then on opportunities for the enterprise segment and accelerating the scale and adoption of IoT services across industries.
“For Ericsson, this partnership also fortifies the IP strategy we have developed over the past several years, and it is a key move forward in our own transformation.”
Following the announcement today (Monday), a number of mobile operators voiced their support for the tie-up.
Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco, added: “With the pace the market is moving, the successful companies will be those who build the right strategic partnerships to accelerate innovation, growth, and customer value.
“We have worked with Ericsson during the last year on developing a strategy for future industry leadership, and can start executing together today.
“Our partnership will drive growth for both companies, unique value for our customers, and incredible innovation for the industry.”