Ericsson announced license agreements with both Cisco Systems and Tektronix Communications (a wholly owned subsidiary of NETSCOUT SYSTEMS) in alignment with the principles outlined in the OSS Interoperability Initiative (OSSii).
Specifically, Ericsson will license its OSS interfaces for integration with Cisco self-optimizing network (SON) products and Tektronix Communications TrueCall geoanalytics platform.
OSSii enables pre-verification of products for new network releases, and provides lifecycle management for interfaces. In addition, it allows both OSSii partners and third parties to support network releases without lengthy and complex integration projects.
Fredrik Gessler, Head of Network Analytics and Management, Ericsson, says: “With the rapid evolution of mobile networks, interoperability is becoming a major expense for operators. OSSii addresses this issue by delivering integration efficiencies, faster time-to-market and lower integration costs, and Ericsson’s agreements with Cisco Systems and Tektronix Communications underline Ericsson’s commitment to supporting interoperability and to providing flexibility for our customers.”
Uzi Breier, Director of Business Development, Cisco, says: “Cisco’s collaboration with Ericsson on the OSSii initiative helps both companies deliver superior service. Fine tuning Cisco’s SON to the most updated Ericsson interfaces and specifications will help maximize the potential of our customers’ Radio Access Networks.”
Both agreements run from August 2015 and will initially cover three years.
In February 2014, Ericsson has signed cross-license agreements with Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) and Huawei for multi-vendor interoperability, to simplify operators’ use of Operations Support Systems (OSS). In signing the agreements, Ericsson furthers the goals of the Operations Support Systems interoperability initiative (OSSii).
OSSii is an initiative led by major network vendors (Ericsson, NSN and Huawei), which aims to facilitate the interoperability between network management systems from different vendors. OSSii is promoting competition for network-level OSS systems by reducing the overall integration costs, as well as speeding up the time to market for new services. The licenses will be available to other OSS vendors on FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) terms and conditions.
Cross-license agreements allow Ericsson and other vendors to develop and sell network management products and services based on each other’s proprietary OSS-interfaces. As part of the initiative Ericsson will provide a remote testing service for interoperability testing.
