On ground MWC 2024, in an exclusive interview with Ericsson’s Head of Strategy, Oliver Buschmann, we delve into the telecom giant’s forward-thinking initiatives to maintain its position at the forefront of technological advancement.
What strategic initiative is Ericsson undertaking to stay at the forefront of technological advancement in the telecom industry?
We’re fortunate that about 50 per cent of the network traffic runs through Ericsson’s network, placing us in a strong and historic position. Our strategy revolves around two key pillars. Firstly, we are focused on leadership in mobile networks. We’re moving towards industrial open RAN and have secured a significant deal with AT&T, a move that is helping us expand mobile networks. Another crucial aspect is the integration of AI into mobile networks, automating the network significantly. The AI Alliance announcement underscores our commitment to shaping the future evolution of networks.
The second major pillar is our expansion into the enterprise sector. We’re making significant strides in high-growth markets, evident in announcements about network APIs. Our collaboration with Verizon, for instance, is propelling the industry towards a more open ecosystem, allowing diverse entities to build on the network.
As the Head of Strategy, how do you navigate the balance between short-term goals and a long-term vision for Ericsson?
For Ericsson, our primary focus is on the long term. We’re committed to building a broader business that spans the entire ecosystem and industry. Our goal is to move the industry forward collaboratively with our customers, aligning our strategies with long-term objectives.
With the increasing integration of AI and automation, how is Ericsson positioning itself to leverage these technologies in enhancing network capabilities?
Ericsson has been investing in AI for many years, making us well-versed in its capabilities. We’re integrating AI across our entire portfolio, from orchestration to network automation and operations. Our use of AI extends even to internal functions, such as summarising analyst reports within the organisation.
In the context of ongoing global changes, how has Ericsson adapted its strategies to meet evolving needs of customers and markets?
Ericsson is a global company, active worldwide. While we have a strong presence in the US and Europe, we’ve also invested significantly in India and Asia, especially considering the rapid growth of the Indian market. The Middle East and Africa are crucial regions for us, given their innovative nature and high-performance network requirements. We’ve played a pivotal role in supporting Indian carriers in achieving superfast 5G uptake.
What is Ericsson’s perspective on the Mobile World Conference and its industry vision?
We believe the industry has a significant opportunity ahead, especially in the enterprise space. As we’ve largely addressed consumer needs, we’re now entering a new chapter focused on enterprises requiring mobile, AI, and cloud for digitisation.
We see a substantial opportunity for the industry to contribute more to digitalising enterprises. Moving towards differentiated performance as a main theme for the network is our strategy, providing tailored capabilities for every industry. This involves making advanced capabilities like authentication and location available on an application level for various devices. It’s a shift towards a more differentiated performance ecosystem, customised for each industry.
