Ericsson launches AI tool to simplify 5G network operations

Ericsson, a telecommunications giant, has launched its generative Artificial intelligence (AI)-based NetCloud Assistant (ANA) to streamline the management of the 5th generation (5G) mobile network.

In a blog post on Monday, Ericsson said ANA is specifically designed to optimise the administration of enterprise wireless wide area networks (WWAN).

WWAN, a wireless network used to build 5G, covers a large geographical area, using cellular technology to connect devices to the internet and other networks without the need for a physical wired connection.

Ericsson described ANA as the first generative AI virtual expert for WWAN, leveraging large language models to simplify the deployment, management, and troubleshooting of enterprise cellular networks.

Pankaj Malhotra, Ericsson’s head of enterprise networking and security for wireless solutions, said the NetCloud platform sets itself apart by easing complex tasks for information technology (IT) teams.

“By investing heavily in cutting-edge AI technology, we are empowering even the most streamlined Information Technology (IT) teams to tackle 5G administration challenges,” he said.

According to Ericsson, key features of ANA include knowledge summarisation, configuration assistance, enhanced troubleshooting, policy recommendations, and custom graph generation.

Ericsson said the troubleshooting feature automates common diagnostic tasks and offers step-by-step instructions to resolve connectivity issues, accelerating repair times.

The company plans to update ANA to translate business requirements into software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) and WAN bonding policies to enhance performance and application availability.

Ericsson said future updates will also allow administrators to request detailed graphs that visualise complex data not typically found in standard NetCloud dashboards or pre-canned reports.

“The ANA complements Ericsson’s NetCloud Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) dashboard, which serves as a vital component in transforming network management,” Ericsson said.

The company said the integration of the ANA AI assistant and the AIOps dashboard allows IT teams to proactively address network issues by detecting anomalies like latency and jitter.

Ericsson added that the combination ensures optimal network performance and enhances the overall digital experience for customers.