BT and Ericsson to Jointly Deliver Cloud-Native Dual-Mode 5G Core

According to a recent announcement, Ericsson and British Telecommunication (BT) have signed a deal to deploy Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core, a container-based, cloud native Mobile Packet Core for 4G, 5G Non-standalone and 5G Standalone services as a single fully integrated core. 

The solution reportedly will be delivered on BT’s Network Cloud and will form a key component in BT’s move to a single converged IP network. It will incorporate network orchestration and automation, including continuous delivery and integration processes (CI/CD), and be integrated into BT’s existing customer experience management platforms using Ericsson Expert Analytics together with Ericsson’s built-in software probes.

“Having evaluated different 5G Core vendors, we have selected Ericsson as the best option on the basis of both lab performance and future roadmap,” said Howard Watson, CTIO of BT. “We are looking forward to working together as we build out our converged 4G and 5G core network across the UK. An agile, cloud-native core infrastructure is at the heart of our ambition to enable the next generation of exciting 5G services for our customers and give the UK the world-class digital infrastructure it needs to win in the future global economy.”

The deployment of Ericsson’s leading technology will enable BT to meet the increasing demand for enhanced mobile broadband from its customers and also opens exciting and innovative opportunities for new use cases, with enterprise and industry partners, the companies said in the release.

“Ericsson and BT have a long history of working together and we are delighted to continue that relationship with this new dual-mode 5G Core deal,” said Marielle Lindgren, Head of Ericsson UK and Ireland. “We, at Ericsson, have been in the UK for over a century and delivering the next generation of connectivity here is yet another proud part of our story.”