Ericsson’s Edge Gravity rolls out with startup-like model

Ericsson has launched Edge Gravity, which operates a global edge cloud network that links data centers with the last-mile networks of more than 80 partners, including mobile service providers, telcos and cable operators.

It’s the first unit within Ericsson to use a new model that involves scaling up by benefiting from a large degree of autonomy and startup-like agility, Edge Gravity's chief marketing officer Yves Boudreau told Light Reading. It’s all part of Ericsson's Unified Delivery Network (UDN) initiative.

The way Ericsson explained it, companies involved in everything from entertainment to IoT to smart cities to automotive all face similar challenges: They all need higher data traffic speed, real-time analytics and latency-critical decision making. That’s why it launched Edge Gravity, which it described as the world’s first global-scale edge cloud platform and ecosystem.

In traditional content delivery and central cloud computing, large volumes of data must travel around the globe, and the physical distance makes the user experience too slow. Edge Gravity is a cost-effective way to increase the speed and deliver a better experience by using the operator’s local infrastructure to bring the content closer to the user, according to Ericsson.

In its model, Ericsson is paid by the content provider and it shares part of that revenue with the operators.

The core network, currently with 22 locations, has been connected to an edge network comprised of more than 80 last-mile network providers that Edge Gravity has signed on so far, according to Light Reading. The service providers are providing Edge Gravity with elements such as rack space, power and connectivity.

So far, the list of service provider partners includes Vodafone, China Unicom, Telstra, Rogers Communications, Telefonica, NTT DoCoMo and Bharti Airtel.

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The news comes as Ericsson raised its 2020 sales targets due to what the company said was an improving outlook for its sales of wireless network equipment. 

Last week, Dish Network revealed it had selected Ericsson to deliver a radio access and core network for Dish’s Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network slated for completion in March 2020. Dish’s network will include Ericsson Radio System New Radio (NR)-capable radios. Dish has also installed, commissioned and completed interoperability testing of the Ericsson Cloud Core network.