Nokia will also become part of Ericsson's rApp Ecosystem, an open and consolidated ecosystem of CSPs, providers and independent developers built around the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform, Ericsson's network management and automation platform for open, multi-vendor and multi-technology environments.
Mutual membership in both ecosystems reflects Nokia and Ericsson's shared focus on advancing Autonomous Networks, with a particular emphasis on innovation centered around the R1 interface, through which rApps interact with the SMO. Joint efforts like this are essential for integrating AI and automation into mobile networks, transforming deployment, optimization, and operation processes as CSPs worldwide strive to achieve and surpass Level 4 autonomy.
This collaboration will enhance cross-industry development and facilitate smoother adoption and integration of automation tools across diverse multi-vendor environments. As part of the agreement, both companies will make rApps available to CSPs on both platforms.
Dimitris Mavrakis, Senior Research Director at ABI Research, commented:
“The telecom industry is converging towards SMO as the long-term automation architecture, with major RAN and SMO players, along with CSPs, collaborating to drive this transition through open standards. Both companies’ participation in the rApp ecosystems reflects their shared confidence in the SMO architecture and their common commitment to advancing interoperability through standardized R1 interfaces. This collaboration will expand the access, availability, and interoperability of rApps reaching the market for CSPs.”
Anders Vestergren, Head of Solution Area Network Management at Ericsson, stated:
“This collaboration is a key step for the telecoms industry, as it offers CSPs greater choice and flexibility in their transformation strategies toward Autonomous Networks. The agreement demonstrates real progress in driving innovation through the R1 interface and in developing diverse and dynamic rApp ecosystems that integrate this essential technology into networks worldwide.”
Ari Kynaslahti, CTO of Nokia, added:
“This alliance with Ericsson represents a decisive step forward in how the industry develops the next generation of autonomous networks. By aligning on open frameworks and intelligent operating models, we provide service providers with a more adaptable and future-proof foundation for automation. Furthermore, we accelerate the evolution of robust rApp environments that will enable operators to introduce new capabilities more quickly, optimize their networks more precisely, and scale innovation across diverse deployment scenarios globally.”
