Ericsson Targets End-to-End Autonomous Networks

Ericsson announced a major expansion of its Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP), extending the platform beyond radio access networks (RAN) to support core network automation. The move creates a unified automation environment spanning both RAN and core domains, allowing communication service providers (CSPs) to deploy automation applications across their networks through a common platform. Ericsson also introduced Ericsson Stream Processing and Enrichment (ESPE), a new data-streaming capability within Ericsson Network Manager (ENM) designed to provide low-latency network telemetry and support closed-loop automation.

The expanded EIAP introduces support for core automation applications, known as cApps, complementing the platform’s existing ecosystem of RAN automation applications (rApps). Ericsson said cApps will use AI-driven automation to optimize network resiliency, performance, and customer experience. The company plans to leverage its existing EIAP ecosystem, which includes more than 100 ecosystem members and over 100 available rApps, as a model for building a broader cApp developer community. Ericsson said future cApps and rApps will increasingly operate as intelligent AI agents capable of leveraging agentic AI functions embedded within the platform.

Alongside the platform expansion, Ericsson launched a new set of OSS/BSS Business Value Pathways aimed at helping CSPs accelerate autonomous network operations. The framework combines Ericsson’s OSS/BSS portfolio, AI capabilities, automation technologies, and services expertise into outcome-focused transformation programs. The initial pathways target faster data transformation through streaming architectures, zero-touch product launches, AI-driven service assurance, and AI-powered IT operations. Ericsson also published a joint industry perspective with Telstra advocating for intent-based networking and formalized knowledge-plane architectures as key building blocks for Level 4+ autonomous networks.

• EIAP now supports both RAN and core network automation through a unified platform.

• Ericsson introduced cApps, a new category of automation applications designed specifically for core networks.

• New Ericsson Stream Processing and Enrichment (ESPE) technology provides low-latency streaming data collection, processing, enrichment, and distribution across RAN and core environments.

• ESPE serves as a network-wide source of truth for real-time operational data.

• Ericsson reports more than 150 commercial contracts for 5G Core and cloud-native core deployments worldwide.

• EIAP currently supports an ecosystem of more than 100 members and over 100 available rApps.

• Ericsson cited industry data showing 68% of CSPs have commercially deployed network or service automation, while 8% claim deployment at scale.

• The new OSS/BSS Business Value Pathways focus on:
• Faster Data Transformation
• Zero-Touch Product Launch
• Agentic AI Service Experience
• Agentic AI Intelligent IT Operations

“By expanding the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform to the core, we are providing our customers with a critical central enabler for their Autonomous Network journey. The expanded EIAP will unify the management and automation of RAN and core networks, provide a single source of truth for network topology and resource data through the central resource layer, and deliver reliable low-latency data from ENM’s streaming capability,” said Anders Vestergren, Head of Network Automation at Ericsson.

🌐 Analysis

Ericsson is shifting from isolated domain automation toward end-to-end autonomous network operations spanning RAN, transport, core, OSS, and IT systems. While most operators have deployed automation in selected network functions, achieving higher levels of autonomy requires unified data models, cross-domain orchestration, real-time telemetry, and AI-driven decision-making. Ericsson is positioning EIAP as the central automation layer that can coordinate actions across both radio and core environments while leveraging agentic AI capabilities.

The introduction of cApps mirrors the industry’s earlier move toward rApps in Open RAN environments. By creating a software ecosystem for core automation, Ericsson aims to extend the application-driven operating model that emerged around RAN automation into the core network. Competitors including Nokia, Huawei, and Amdocs are also pursuing autonomous network architectures that combine AI, observability, digital twins, and closed-loop automation.

A notable aspect of Ericsson’s strategy is the emphasis on streaming data architectures. The new ESPE capability aligns with industry efforts to replace batch-oriented OSS environments with real-time event processing platforms capable of supporting AI-driven operations. As operators pursue TM Forum Autonomous Network Level 4 and beyond, access to low-latency operational data and explainable AI workflows is increasingly viewed as foundational to enabling networks that can sense, decide, and act with minimal human intervention.