Ericsson explores the future of intelligent networks with industry analysts
At its annual industry analyst event in Boston, Ericsson brought together more than 65 industry analysts, customers and partners at the Boston Public Library to explore how intelligent networks are creating new opportunities across healthcare, enterprise, public safety and financial services.
Discussions focused on how the mobile network is evolving beyond connectivity infrastructure into an intelligent, ecosystem-led technology platform for enterprises, AI and new digital services.
Sessions were led by Ericsson executives from across its business and supported by perspectives from customers and partners including Rogers, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), FIS, Zuper, Storage Guardian, Persona, CTIA, which represents the US wireless communications industry and companies, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission in Minnesota in the US.
“AI is moving beyond data centers into real time applications such as AI/AR wearables, robots and drones,” Ericsson CTO Erik Ekudden said. “5G is already enabling new use cases, while an intelligent fabric will make networks smarter and provide the advanced connectivity with hosted inference that distributed AI requires – tailored performance for each agentic flow.”
Ekudden opened the event by exploring how AI is moving beyond centralized data centers into real-time, distributed environments. AI/AR wearables, robots, drones and autonomous systems will require networks that do more than transport data. They will need to provide the connectivity, resilience, intelligence and flexibility that distributed and physical AI depend on.
The program also examined how today's 5G networks are still creating the foundation for new use cases, delivering commercial value today while establishing technology leadership for the 6G era.
In healthcare, Ericsson highlighted its work with Singapore's National University Health System, where 5G connectivity supports connected medical devices, AI-enabled workflows and mobile robotics. The discussion also included Verizon and how 5G for healthcare is scaling in the US, as well as exploring how indoor coverage and distributed AI enable more continuous digital care.
Another discussion focused on the role of the core network in creating new 5G value, including differentiated connectivity, fixed wireless access, network APIs, 5G Advanced location services and AI-voice offerings. The session also explored how the Ericsson Intelligent Core can help service providers introduce greater automation, resilience, performance and premium user experience.
In a session with Google Cloud, Ericsson demonstrated how a SaaS-based core can simplify the purchase, deployment and scaling of mobile infrastructure, including examples from maritime connectivity and Regional Breakout for Mobile Broadband.
Speakers also explored the growing role of 5G in defense and public safety, including the transition to secure, resilient and data-rich mission-critical broadband. This included discussions on integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) and its potential to support applications such as drone detection.
For enterprises, Åsa Tamsons, Head of Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions, examined the shift from connectivity to assured wireless operations. A customer discussion with the Metropolitan Airports Commission showed how private 5G is supporting critical airport operations while creating a foundation for automation, video analytics and future AI-enabled technologies.
Christophe Van de Weyer, CEO of Vonage, focused on network-powered solutions and how Network APIs can help address challenges such as fraud prevention, customer experience and operational performance. Customers and partners shared examples of how these capabilities are being applied across financial services, retail and enterprise technology.
The event concluded with a discussion on the convergence of telecommunications and financial services as Ericsson and FIS explored how digital wallets, payments, loyalty and embedded finance are becoming critical digital infrastructure for enterprises, banks and governments.
Across the discussions, a consistent theme emerged: future networks will combine connectivity, computing, AI and ecosystem collaboration to create new value for consumers, enterprises and public institutions. The event provided analysts with a view of how Ericsson, together with customers and partners, is helping shape that future.
“This annual event gives us an opportunity to share Ericsson’s clear strategic vision, differentiated portfolio and growing ecosystem of customer and partner proof points with leading US analysts,” said Pami Vadher, Head of Industry Analyst Relations. “Their feedback also helps sharpen our thinking and strengthen confidence in Ericsson’s direction.”