Another example of the Swedish vendor striving to create ecosystems around its portfolio, this time for the RAN
Ericsson is introducing the rApp Directory to make rApps commercially available – both those created by Ericsson and by third parties. The rApps will be for use on Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP), and Service Management and Orchestration platform.
The rApp Directory allows potential customers or other EIAP ecosystem members to explore functionalities of rApps. They are applications to automate RAN management and optimise use cases developed by Ericsson and third parties, like independent software vendors (ISVs) and operators.
Users can also connect directly with the creators and owners of the rApps, to understand more about how their application can help transform the automation performance of networks.
Soft launch
Apparently the rApp Directory has been available since the summer to those who joined the EIAP ecosystem early. At the moment it provides information about more than 20 rApps which can be used commercially on the EIAP. From now, it will be periodically updated as the number of rApps and community members increases.
Today, the EIAP ecosystem has 28 registered members – 18 ISVs and 10 operators (who can use and contribute their own rApps), plus more than 1,100 individual developers.
The EIAP ecosystem includes third-party software providers like Aira Technologies, Airhop, Aspire, Booz Allen, Domos, Future Connections, Fyra, Groundhog, HCL Software, Icebreaker, Infovista, Intel, Ookla, Snowflake, Tectwin, Viavi, Wipro and Zinkworks. Operator members include AT&T, Swisscom, Telstra and Vodafone and “a number of others” who are not disclosed.
Anders Vestergren, Head of Solution Area Network Management, Ericsson says, “Ericsson was recently recognised by independent analyst Omdia as having the fastest growing rApp ecosystem, and we’re confident the rApp directory will be a valuable asset to that community of independent developers, software developers, and CSPs as they seek to drive innovation and growth through RAN automation.”
Five areas of automation
The rApp Directory categorises the rApps into five RAN automation solutions areas:
- Network evolution which improves network planning, and network and service performance, and support new revenues through data-driven, intent-based insights and recommendations.
- Network deployment handles provisioning and life cycle management of complex networks with optimal costs and speed to market
- Network optimisation offers intelligent, autonomous functions to optimise customer experience and return on investments
- Network healing is designed to ensure service continuity and resolution of both basic and complex incidents, delivering high availability while keeping the operation costs at a minimum
- Automation and AI Foundation is for faster time to market and greater trust in AI and automation use cases.
Resources provided by Ericsson for those implementing the rApps include a Developer Portal, the Developers Community and training for rApp Developers.
Image courtesy of Ericsson.