It has been eight months since the announcement of the alliance agreement between Ericsson and VMware, in February of this year.
Many colleagues in this industry thought a relationship between a network provider like Ericsson and an enterprise software company like VMware would be next to impossible – this isn’t the first time VMware has proven someone wrong. So how did we create a win – win scenario between companies who historically have had competing goals? By putting our customers first.
Our goal when we set out on this trajectory was to enable CSPs to efficiently deploy and operate virtualized networks. In order to do this, we invested in a certification lab where Ericsson’s VNFs running on VMware vCloud NFV were put through a rigorous testing methodology by having applications tested, certified, system verified, optimized and documented. Essentially lowering the risks of the investment for our customers when selecting our combined solutions for their network transformation efforts.
I’m happy to report that production deployments of Ericsson VNFs on VMware have almost DOUBLED in 2019. Over 50+ CSPs worldwide are running 567 VNF deployments on our platform.
Furthermore, over 70+ Communication Service Providers using Ericsson’s Business Support Systems (BSS) are also running on VMware to improve their end to end stability and improve their time to market for new digital revenue streams.
When I think of our mutual success this year, I think of a quote from James Clear, “Businesses succeed when the self-interest of the business is aligned with the self-interest of the customer.” – James Clear. This mindset is a key motivator in championing the seed of collaboration.
VMware’s goal is fairly simple: to offer our customers software that provides the ability to move from a strictly vertical stack, to a horizontal platform that offers operators maximum flexibility to match their network demands. We are committed to offering simplicity in design, effectiveness, and better enhanced security in the solutions we offer. Ericsson offers the network “know how” to get the best performance out of our products. Together, we can offer great solutions for our mutual customers.
5G is coming, bringing with it a new world of revenue opportunities for CSPs. Offering more connections and greater bandwidth than traditional wireless technologies, and a host of new services that operators could offer. That’s great for innovation and revenue, but it also means that partners will need to find a new “working norm.” All of this is unfolding in a landscape that is moving faster than ever.
Come by the VMware booth (Hall South, Stand 1714) at Mobile World Congress Los Angeles and say hello, or visit telco.vmware.com to learn more.
