From IP Multimedia Subsystem on the fixed side, to full RAN and Core upgrades on mobile, the two partners are now targeting network automation
Swisscom has beefed up its network automation and energy efficiency with the help of long-term vendor partner Ericsson. The telco has already made great strides in migrating to cloud native. In March 2023, Swisscom started a trial with Ericsson 5G Core applications running on AWS as it explored hybrid cloud as a complement to existing private cloud infrastructure – essentially doing things like offloading to AWS if high traffic is experienced during maintenance periods, for example.
At the time, the operator and AWS said they will also look to migrate Swisscom’s 5G network built on current infrastructure to a new, standalone 5G network powered by AWS’s cloud platform.
The operator’s journey to cloud native started even earlier than the AWS tie-up as it had already been collaborating with Ericsson using its Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) solution to support its telecom applications.
The work between Swisscom and Ericsson has always been a little bit different to other operator vendor relationships. In 2015, for example, they agreed to form a new team comprising an equal number of Ericsson and Swisscom employees to plan and drive further development of the mobile network. This consummation was agreed to run for an indefinite period.
That’s a rAPPs
The latest agreement will see the introduction of Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) to provide multi-technology network management and automation Swisscom’s network. Adopting it means means Swisscom can take advantage of the growing Ericsson portfolio of rApps, including AI powered Cognitive Software rApps, as well as rApps available from other contributors to the open EIAP rApp Ecosystem.
Ericsson said the EIAP ecosystem and Software Development Toolkit (SDK) will be an “essential tool” for Swisscom to enhance its subscribers’ service experience while “delivering operational savings through industrial scale automation in the radio access network.” As part of the overall renewal Swisscom will continue with Ericsson Expert Analytics which uses AI/ML to analyse and resolve potential subscriber issues in real-time.
The new contract will also see the introduction of Ericsson’s energy-efficient lightweight dual-band Radio 4490, as well as a next-generation RAN processor from Ericsson’s RAN Compute portfolio. With the capacity to serve all new and existing radio technologies from a single box, Ericsson RAN Compute processor therefore has a smaller footprint and lower energy consumption, plus the ability to support real-time AI processing without capacity loss, according to Ericsson. Swisscom further aims to equip many sites with Ericsson’s Massive MIMO portfolio in the next three years as a part of the continued effort to expand mid-band TDD coverage further.
Cloud Native with an AWS twist
With this new deal Swisscom will now take on Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure solution (CNIS), expanding its ability to host cloud-native telecom applications from Ericsson as well as from third-party providers. The deployment will bring together a close collection of telecom partner companies such as Extreme Networks and Dell Technologies, which contribute components, infrastructure and capabilities to the solution.
“We’ve been working closely with Ericsson for over 10 years with a great amount of trust and success. We are now taking the next step in this long-standing strategic partnership as we endeavour to turn Switzerland’s best network into its smartest one,” said Swisscom CTIO Gerd Niehage (above). “This will enable us to not only offer our customers the best customer experience, but also to place an even greater focus on sustainability and innovation.”
Swisscom said its network is already fully powered by renewable energy and, with Ericsson, added it will go a step further with the launch of an Energy Sustainability Programme to intelligently reduce the energy consumption of their mobile communications systems.
“We have already managed in recent years to set important benchmarks for the global development of the telecommunications market from within Switzerland,” said Ericsson head of customer unit Western Europe Daniel Leimbach.