Ericsson On-Demand: Unlocking 5G Core Network Flexibility with Google Cloud
Discover how Ericsson’s new 5G core SaaS platform, powered by Google Cloud, reshapes telecom operations by cutting costs, boosting scalability, and challenging cloud infrastructure myths in the telecom sector.
Key Takeaways
- Ericsson On-Demand delivers 5G core as a true SaaS platform with Google Cloud.
- The platform enables telecom operators to scale quickly and pay only for what they use.
- Ericsson’s native integration with Google Cloud avoids hybrid cloud compromises.
- Smaller operators benefit from streamlined, off-the-shelf 5G core solutions.
- Ericsson maintains its traditional on-premises offerings alongside the new cloud-native option.
Imagine running a 5G network without the headache of owning and managing bulky hardware. Ericsson’s latest innovation, Ericsson On-Demand, does just that by delivering core network services as a fully managed software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform powered by Google Cloud. This partnership marks a significant shift in telecom cloud strategy, moving beyond the hybrid cloud compromises seen with AWS and Microsoft. With Google’s vast fiber network and AI infrastructure, Ericsson aims to help communications service providers (CSPs) scale faster, cut costs, and add new features without downtime. But this isn’t just about technology—it’s about challenging the myth that public cloud can’t handle telecom’s heavy lifting. Let’s unpack how Ericsson On-Demand is rewriting the rules for 5G core networks and what it means for the future of telecom operations.
Reimagining 5G Core Networks
Think of the 5G core network as a brain and brawn combo: the control plane is the brain, deciding where data should flow, while the user plane function (UPF) is the brawn, handling the heavy lifting of data traffic. Traditionally, telcos struggled to run the UPF in public clouds due to limited data center locations and scalability issues. Telefónica’s experience with AWS in Germany showed that hosting Nokia’s UPF couldn’t support more than a small slice of customers. The workaround? AWS Outposts, a kind of on-premises cloud extension, which critics say isn’t truly public cloud. Ericsson’s new approach with Google Cloud flips this script by running the UPF natively in Google’s public cloud facilities, sidestepping the hybrid cloud compromises. This native integration means Ericsson’s 5G core can flex and scale without the baggage of on-prem hardware, offering telecom operators a fresh way to build faster, smarter networks.
Ericsson On-Demand’s Cloud-Native Edge
Ericsson On-Demand is not just a cloud migration; it’s a cloud-native reinvention. Partnering with Google Cloud, Ericsson leverages Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) and AI infrastructure to deliver a fully managed 5G core network as a SaaS platform. This means operators can deploy a full core network in minutes, scale capacity up or down instantly, and pay only for what they use. The platform’s telecom-grade reliability combines with Google’s global reach—42 cloud regions and over two million miles of fiber—to ensure network availability and performance. For CSPs, this translates into business agility and cost savings, eliminating the need to buy and maintain physical hardware. Ericsson manages the entire stack end-to-end, freeing operators to focus on delivering services rather than wrestling with infrastructure.
Challenging Cloud Myths in Telecom
The telecom industry has long been skeptical about public cloud’s ability to handle core network workloads, especially the UPF’s heavy data demands. Hybrid cloud solutions, like Microsoft’s telco offer or AWS Outposts, have been seen as necessary compromises—part cloud, part on-premises. Ericsson’s native approach with Google Cloud challenges this narrative head-on. By tightly integrating network applications with Google’s infrastructure, Ericsson avoids the inefficiencies of a lift-and-shift strategy. Ericsson’s VP Eric Parsons emphasizes that true efficiency requires going native, not agnostic. While this means operators can’t easily switch hyperscalers, the performance gains and economic sense are clear. This partnership also elevates Google’s profile in telco workloads, proving that public cloud can be battle-tested and reliable for telecom’s toughest demands.
Balancing Flexibility and Control
Ericsson On-Demand offers telecom operators a tempting trade-off: less control over infrastructure in exchange for flexibility and reduced capital expenditure. Operators avoid buying and maintaining hardware, outsourcing management to Ericsson and Google Cloud, and paying only for consumed resources. However, this SaaS model isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Governments with strict data sovereignty rules may require data to stay within borders or be managed locally, limiting public cloud options. Larger telcos, seeking customization and control, might use Ericsson On-Demand for secondary use cases like regional IoT services rather than core network replacement. Ericsson continues to support its traditional on-premises CNIS platform, signaling that the hybrid future of telecom infrastructure will blend cloud-native agility with tried-and-true hardware control.
What Ericsson On-Demand Means for Telecom
Ericsson On-Demand is a strategic move that could reshape telecom cloud adoption. For smaller operators, it offers an off-the-shelf, streamlined 5G core solution that’s quick to deploy and easy to scale. For bigger players, it provides a flexible tool for niche or regional services without disrupting their core infrastructure. Ericsson’s choice to go native with Google Cloud, rather than chase cloud agnosticism, reflects a pragmatic view: true efficiency and performance require deep integration and joint investment. While this limits hyperscaler flexibility, it promises a more reliable and cost-effective network experience. As CSPs face mounting pressure to innovate rapidly and manage complexity, Ericsson On-Demand could be the key to unlocking smarter, faster 5G networks without the traditional capital and operational burdens.
Long Story Short
Ericsson On-Demand represents a bold leap into cloud-native 5G core networks, marrying Ericsson’s telecom expertise with Google Cloud’s robust infrastructure. For operators, especially smaller ones, it offers a chance to sidestep capital-heavy investments and embrace flexible, pay-as-you-go models. Yet, this native approach means committing to a single hyperscaler, trading cloud agnosticism for performance and efficiency. Governments’ data sovereignty demands and bigger telcos’ customization needs mean Ericsson’s traditional on-premises solutions remain vital. Still, Ericsson’s dual strategy—combining battle-tested on-premises tech with innovative public cloud offerings—signals a pragmatic path forward. As telecoms navigate the complex cloud landscape, Ericsson On-Demand challenges the myth that public cloud can’t be telecom-grade, proving that with the right partner, the future is flexible, scalable, and smarter.