Singtel and Ericsson Launch Enhanced Network-as-a-Service Solution for Telcos and Enterprises

Singtel and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to simplify and modernize the creation and management of new network services through an integrated solution. This partnership brings together Singtel’s Paragon platform, which offers advanced 5G edge computing and cloud orchestration capabilities, with Ericsson’s Service Orchestration and Assurance platform. The collaboration aims to provide a self-service, API-enabled solution that enables Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to streamline network provisioning and service assurance, especially for enterprise customers.

Seamless Integration for Modernized Network Services

The combined offering from Singtel and Ericsson connects the two platforms via APIs to offer a zero-touch, real-time solution for ordering, provisioning, and managing network services such as network slicing and service assurance. CSPs can now modernize their operations by automating tasks that have traditionally required manual intervention, thus accelerating the delivery of new 5G-enabled services.

Enterprise customers can benefit from Singtel’s Paragon platform by ordering and managing their own network services in an intuitive, low-friction environment. With Ericsson’s Service Orchestration and Assurance handling the back-end network provisioning and performance management, these requests are automatically executed in the network, ensuring high levels of service quality and connectivity. The solution is designed to handle diverse network topologies, supporting hybrid and multi-vendor environments, making it adaptable to a wide range of use cases.

Empowering CSPs to Monetize 5G and Edge Services

Mats Karlsson, Head of Solution Area Business and Operations Support Systems at Ericsson, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in driving the adoption of 5G services. “Breaking through challenges experienced by enterprises and CSPs alike when it comes to the creation and adoption of new and valuable 5G-enabled services is a clear priority in the global telecoms market today,” Karlsson stated. “We see in this collaboration with Singtel the potential for greatly increased interest, uptake, and profitability of 5G services for enterprises.”

The integration of Ericsson’s Service Orchestration and Assurance with Singtel’s Paragon platform allows telcos to simplify the rollout of advanced network services, enabling new monetization opportunities. The combined solution reduces the time it takes CSPs to deploy services, sometimes from days to mere minutes, and lowers operational costs. This empowers telcos to quickly launch new offerings and improve overall service quality for enterprises.

Singtel’s Paragon Platform: A Leader in 5G and Edge Orchestration

Singtel’s Paragon platform has already proven to be a key enabler of digital transformation for many telcos.

Manoj Prasanna Kumar, Chief Technology Officer at Singtel Digital InfraCo, emphasized the impact of the platform: “Singtel’s Paragon platform has enabled transformation for many telcos and put them in a lead position in their markets to roll out next-generation enterprise applications and services.” Kumar further highlighted the importance of the partnership with Ericsson: “This strategic partnership between Ericsson and Singtel, bringing together Singtel’s Paragon platform and Ericsson Service Orchestration and Assurance, will strengthen the joint value proposition and make it easier and faster for telcos to roll out their 5G, edge, and network API use cases.” The Paragon platform will offer enterprise customers a self-service portal and API catalog for managing 5G-enabled services, including connectivity lifecycle management, service quality analytics, and performance optimization.

Advanced Capabilities and Automation

One of the key benefits of this solution is the autopilot engine integrated into Singtel’s Paragon platform, which automates the management of individual connection performance and connectivity consumption. Ericsson’s Service Orchestration and Assurance platform complements this by managing network slices, subscriptions, and service assurance metrics, ensuring that CSPs can monitor service performance in real time.

Both components of this solution conform to the TM Forum Open Digital Architecture and utilize industry-standard APIs, including TM Forum Open APIs. The use of standardized APIs ensures seamless communication and integration between Singtel’s and Ericsson’s platforms, simplifying service orders, inventory management, and topology exchanges. This approach makes the solution highly scalable and adaptable to various network environments.

Industry Collaboration and Ecosystem Support

As major contributors to industry standards and organizations like O-RAN, GSMA, 3GPP, and TM Forum, Singtel and Ericsson are at the forefront of driving innovation in the telecommunications sector. Their combined expertise and commitment to open standards are expected to accelerate the global adoption of 5G and edge computing services.

The partnership between Singtel and Ericsson provides an exciting opportunity for CSPs to modernize their network services and enhance their enterprise offerings. By streamlining Network-as-a-Service capabilities and leveraging advanced automation, the solution is set to drive new business models and revenue streams for telcos worldwide.

For more information on how CSPs can take advantage of this solution, Singtel and Ericsson encourage interested parties to get in touch and explore the possibilities for transforming their network operations.