Juniper Networks expands collaboration with IBM

The planned collaboration will seek to deliver a unified RAN management platform that will be designed to use intelligent automation to better enable communications service providers (CSPs) to monetize, optimize and scale their investments in next-generation networks and provide better experiences to mobile users.

As CSPs around the globe continue to deploy their 5G and next generation networks, they are looking to RAN intelligence and automation solutions to help them more effectively monetize and optimize their investments in next-generation networks. RAN technology becomes increasingly important to help connect the vastly growing number of devices by using non-proprietary subcomponents while increasing vendor diversity and avoiding lock-in. CSPs are looking for solutions and partners who can help them through the journey of a complete RAN transformation to meet these demands.

The companies intend that this new agreement will build on the existing collaboration between Juniper Networks and IBM. The two companies will look to integrate Juniper’s RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) with IBM Cloud Pak® for Network Automation with the intention of creating a fully integrated and automated O-RAN and RAN solution. The goal of this solution will be to offer end-to-end automation of secured 5G network slices, from provisioning through validation and deployment, monitoring and assurance of SLAs during run-time, through the integration of Juniper’s RIC and Slice-aware use case capabilities with IBM Cloud Pak® for Network Automation’s policy engines.