Verizon’s offering leverages Ericsson technologies
Drawing an already-close partner even closer, Ericsson will be deploying Verizon’s managed Software Defined Wide Area Network service for its corporate IT, including virtualized security services and managed enterprise Radio Access Network solutions.
Ericsson’s own technology underpins Verizon’s offerings. In February, Verizon agreed to use Ericsson’s platform and enabling technologies for its managed SD-WAN service, including Ericsson’s Cloud Manager and Order Care to support model-driven configuration management and provide the orchestration engine, with the vendor’s VNF Factory platform supporting onboarding and validation of virtual network functions into Verizon’s ecosystem. Ericsson also provides closed-loop service assurance, virtualized network function testing, and consulting and system integration services for Verizon’s managed SD-WAN solution.
Johan Torstensson, chief information officer and head of IT for Ericsson, noted the Verizon’s E-RAN offering that Ericsson will be utilizing “leverages the Ericsson Radio DOT System and Pico RBS, will enhance the performance and appeal of our corporate facilities paving the way for new applications to be delivered by indoor mobile network infrastructure.”
“The use of Verizon’s software defined services accelerates the automation of operations, maintains application performance and enables on-demand implementation of WAN policies,” he added. “Verizon will accelerate our adoption of the virtualized networking technologies that are transforming the communications industry.”
Ericsson plans to consume VNFs in a pay-as-you-go model based on usage and “expand the global reach of its corporate IT infrastructure using Verizon’s Global IP network for public and private networking solutions.”
Ericsson is a long-standing, major vendor partner for Verizon. Along with various “5G” testing and internet of things collaborations that the two companies are working on together, former Ericsson CEO Hans Vestburg was brought on in March to lead Verizon’s Network and Technology division. Meanwhile, the SD-WAN market itself is expected to expand rapidly, with a recent survey from Cato Networks indicating the possibility of 200% growth in the next 12 months.
