High-Performance Programmable Networks: Ericsson’s Vision for a Post-“Best Effort” Future
Ericsson, the Swedish telecom equipment manufacturer, is advocating for a paradigm shift in the 5G landscape. Their recent white paper proposes a move towards networks that can dynamically adjust their performance based on the specific application. The ultimate goal is to monetize “differentiated connectivity” and automate network operations, offering tailored performance for various services and applications. This is particularly relevant in the context of emerging technologies in Africa that require reliable and high-performance networks for applications such as precision agriculture, telemedicine, and smart city initiatives.
From “Best Effort” 5G to Differentiated Connectivity
Ericsson’s vision stems from the understanding that the “one-size-fits-all” approach of early 5G deployments has limitations. The next evolution involves offering not just bandwidth, but also varying performance levels tailored to specific services. This includes cloud gaming, immersive augmented reality, and critical IoT applications, all with guaranteed outcomes. Ericsson envisions a “differentiated connectivity” model, which they believe represents a new value proposition for network operators. This is made possible by high-performance, programmable networks.
In summary, this shift enables operators to move beyond the limitations of the “best effort” approach and provide services with dedicated network resources. This concept offers opportunities for tech companies and telecom operators in Africa to innovate in services needing precise bandwidth, latency, and availability.
Keywords
Related Keywords: Highperformance programmable networks, Ericsson, programmable networks, network programmability, best effort, network performance, softwaredefined networking, SDN, network optimization, telecom
