MWC25: How Ericsson is Pivoting to AI-Driven Networks
Ericsson unveiled its strategy to transform networks through intent-driven architecture and expansion of its Global Network Platform at MWC Barcelona 2025.
The telecommunications company has restructured its exhibition space to demonstrate applications of its network technology, with particular focus on programmable networks and application programming interfaces.
Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson UK and Ireland, outlined the company's approach during an interview at the event, saying: "We've got an open area where you can come in and everyone can find out about some of the things that we're up to and look at some of the use cases.
“Some of the key themes for us we're all about inspiring use cases for 5G and 6G. These are talking about our new global network platform partnership and how that's going to be used.”
A dual approach to AI
When discussing AI integration, Katherine explains the company's dual focus: “There's two ways I always think about AI. For me, one is actually how do we improve what we do and how do we manage the networks?
“The other is about how AI is going to change the way that we use the networks.”
A central element of Ericsson's AI strategy involves shifting network management from manual parameter configuration to an intent-driven model.
"Rather than you setting hundreds, thousands of parameters and going into detail, you can set what you want the intent of the network to be and then let AI do the work to set up the network and adjust it accordingly and learn which is much quicker and easier and better," Katherine shares.
“When we are looking to the future on how we're going to use AI, we are looking at it from a number of different angles. We are looking at how we can optimise the network performance and optimise the software and the equipment in the network so that it works at its level for AI, but also we're looking at this intent element of it.”
“We are looking at how we can optimise the network performance and optimise the software and the equipment in the network so that it works at its level for AI.”
With this in mind, the company is positioning its networks to accommodate AI applications with specific technical requirements.
“We are looking at how to build a network where it can be set up with intent parameters, before then building the network out based around that,” she says. “We need to be ahead of the curve on how people are going to use AI and how they're going to want a super fast, secure, low latency network where they're able to exchange information up into the cloud super quickly.”
Ericsson Cloud Radio: Targeting open interface standardisation
Ericsson's Cloud Radio initiative forms a significant part of its programmable networks strategy, according to Blessing Makumbe, VP and Head of Cloud Software & Services at Ericsson UK & Ireland.
“Cloud Radio is Ericsson making sure the radios it's deploying have open interfaces, where you can replace the specific elements you want,” he says.
“At MWC, we have announced that we are rolling it out, cloud ready. We're enabling the ability for different operators to make different choices on the technology that they want to do, but making it open allows us to be able to innovate.”
“We can innovate on top of that network, but also ensure that we keep it standardised.”
Katherine adds: “I think this is a journey that we're going on. We've always been open to those open standards and that journey that we're on and you'll see more and more of how those standards and those programmable networks are here on the stand and around us.
“It will be a journey and a balance between how you can do things quickly and efficiently and effectively, but also making sure that you keep the opportunity there to then open it up to different alternatives in the future.”
The standardisation aspect remains a priority for Ericsson while enabling programmability for operators.
“It’s about ensuring that, if we allow different players to use the interface, they are able to pull all the network attributes that are coming in to make sure they are able to be exposed,” Blessing says.
“Ericsson is ensuring its radios are cloud-ready, so operators can do as they desire and then get value out of those networks.”
Future pathways for growth
The company has positioned its Global Network Platform as a core element of its growth strategy, with focus on enterprise applications.
“If I look forward to 2025, 2026 and beyond, we are looking at a few things, including how we make sure we build our ecosystem and the environment around us,” Katherine explains.
“At MWC, our partners and customers are in attendance to demonstrate how they use 5G and are building that ecosystem, which is super important both for consumer use cases and on the enterprise side.”
From manufacturing, to stadiums, to security, Ericsson is proud of the different applications of 5G it can offer.
Katherine adds: “We're looking at the global network platform and how we use those APIs and leverage global scale there.
“You'll also see much more about how we become more efficient and things like intent-based programming and how we use the software to really optimise the network.”
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