Network automation
The demand for mobile connectivity is booming, and an array of new use cases has created greater opportunities for network monetization. But customer expectations and network complexity have also increased. Automation is the key to mastering this balance, allowing service providers to manage multiple layers and technologies in a multivendor environment, while also delivering a differentiated user experience and greater scalability.
Network automation explained
Network automation is the process of using software and artificial intelligence (AI) to plan, deploy, configure, orchestrate, analyze and assure mobile networks and services. It removes manual steps from these processes to achieve greater efficiency and meet the demands placed on networks by modern use cases.
With the use of computer algorithms to automate and analyze networks and operations, we can understand and manage them more simply and efficiently than ever before, significantly impacting results and saving resources that can be better used elsewhere.
Examples of network aspects that can be automated include:
- Service activation
- Maintenance
- Resource allocation
- Interference management
The evolution of network automation
New network demands create new complexities and challenges
Fulfilling the full potential of the 5G era and beyond will only be possible with the help of increased network automation. Mobile networks have become much more sophisticated at the same time as telcos seek greater operational efficiency, simplified resource management and minimal costs. All while their customers place more importance on a seamless user experience. In some cases this seamless performance underpins services that are critical to society.
Intelligent automation is essential in order to succeed in this context. Traditional, manual processes are no longer sufficient to meet the cost and performance demands placed on networks. Solutions exist today to leverage automation for greater operational efficiency, better performance and lowered expenses, as well as shorter time to market and improved scalability. The automation journey is already underway and accelerating – it’s time to get on board.
Benefits and opportunities
Leveraging the power of network automation can be transformative. From performance improvements, more effective use of resources and energy savings, to cost reductions, reduced time to market and more.
Performance reliability
Maintaining the high standards customers demand can be a challenge when paired with today’s level of network complexity. Leveraging automation and AI makes it easier to navigate this and achieve consistently high network performance. The result is not only an improved user experience, but also the benefits for customer retention that come with it.
Operational efficiencies
By automating repetitive tasks and ensuring they are resolved in an efficient manner, costs can be reduced while staff and resources are at the same time freed up to use in other valuable areas. Leveraging algorithms can ultimately lead to dramatic improvements in network capacity planning and optimization. It is even possible to predict outages and degradation, reducing costly downtime.
Energy savings
Rising energy costs and the enforcement of net-zero targets mean achieving sustainable operations is now a must-have. Leveraging automation in the network makes it possible to detect energy efficiencies and address them in a timely manner, as well as channel energy to hardware only when it is needed, in order to achieve more efficient energy usage without impacting performance.
Faster time to market
With the help of automation, network updates and new services can be delivered in a much more agile manner, significantly improving time to market. A high degree of reliability due to the reduced risk of human error also helps ensure these complex services can be delivered at scale.
The path to a more autonomous network
Programmable networks built with AI and intent
Essential technologies and processes for network automation
Network automation use cases
Why choose Ericsson for network automation?
Ericsson’s centralized network automation and AI solutions can have a transformative impact on your automation journey, providing a foundation to prepare for a future of autonomous, intent-based networks, and allowing you to run a more efficient, better performing and more agile network today.
Our automation solutions are prepared for multi-vendor and multi-technology environments, enabling the adoption of Open RAN and facilitating the deployment of new use cases from an open application development ecosystem.
We have taken an industry-leading role in the adoption of automation and AI in networks, introducing award-winning intent-based operations capabilities. These allow the network to respond, adapt and scale in a fully autonomous way to changes in network demands.
There is ultimately no one-size-fits-all approach to automating networks. With global experience delivering automation benefits, we leverage best practice knowledge and expert insights to tailor the right solution for your unique needs.
The impact of our network automation solutions is demonstrated in the networks of satisfied customers across the globe.
