The Santa Clara, California, event highlighted Ericsson's integral role in a robust partner ecosystem.

Members of Ericsson's global executive team joined other company leaders to host conversations with partners including Meta, Google, Softbank and Intel, along with service provider partners such as T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T. Topics included artificial intelligence, enterprise connectivity and hardware innovation.

While the scope of the event was wide, a key focus was on open programmable networks and how their advanced capabilities must be tailored to meet specific user demands (and future new customer demands) in the coming years.

"Networks are innovative, investable and open for business," Ericsson Chief Technology Officer Erik Ekudden told attendees. "We view network differentiation as the next wave in mobile. To take full advantage of this means we must change the way we work, especially within partner ecosystems. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together."

Ericsson leaders and their guests discussed multiple technological capabilities relating to open and programmable networks, including the company's network portfolio, rApps for intelligent automation and open RAN networks.

"The advancements we've made in 5G technology, and now with the introduction of programmable networks, position us at the forefront of innovation," said Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Ericsson Business Area Networks. "The opportunity is there for Ericsson to adapt and lead the industry. And we will do this together with our partners."

Taking advantage of the API and AI opportunity

Ericsson and 12 of the world's largest operators recently announced a partnership to expose network assets and functionality in a common way through network APIs (Application Programming Interface).

McKinsey & Co estimates the value of network APIs could reach USD 10-30 billion over the next several years. This is in addition to an estimated USD 100-300 billion in potential revenue that network operators could unlock in additional connectivity and edge-compute use cases.

Speakers highlighted the need for mass scale in API adoption by developers to take full advantage of network capabilities.

"We need to bring frontrunner use cases to the forefront and get developers excited," said Niklas Heuveldop, CEO of Vonage and Head of Ericsson Business Area Global Communications Platform. "Developers are starting to pay attention to wireless networks and the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), edge compute and 5G, among other things. The job for us at Vonage - as well as other parties - is to make this very easy for developers to consume."

Almost 150 years of innovation

The D-15 center is named after and inspired by Ericsson's first workshop on Drottninggatan 15 in Stockholm almost 150 years ago. Cocreation projects at the center have focused on immersive virtual reality (VR), enterprise connectivity and Cloud RAN, among other themes.

North America is a key region for Ericsson. Earlier this year, the company highlighted its work with partners and the broader US tech ecosystem at similar events at the company's 5G smart factory in Texas and at an event in Boston with a focus on enterprise opportunities.

"Today we showed analysts and industry partners how we are at the center of a partner ecosystem across a wide range of areas, including XR, 5G for enterprise, communication and network APIs," said Pami Vadher, Ericsson Head of Industry Analyst Relations. "In the heart of Silicon Valley, the event highlighted why Ericsson has been at the forefront of innovation for almost 150 years."