Ericsson has been named a 2026 Google Cloud Business Applications Partner of the Year for Telecommunications. The award – won for the fourth consecutive year – recognizes Ericsson’s innovation with Google Cloud by developing a cloud‑native, AI‑powered ecosystem that enables Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to innovate at speed and scale, while managing increasing operational complexity and achieve network autonomy.
Ericsson received the award based on a series of groundbreaking achievements delivered through its strategic partnership with Google Cloud:
Industry first: 5G core as-a-service combines telecom-grade reliability with public cloud flexibility
Ericsson collaborates with Google Cloud to deliver carrier-grade 5G core as-a-service built with AI at the foundation culminated with the launch of Ericsson On-Demand, marking a significant shift in how core network services are deployed, managed and scaled.
The platform is designed with Google Cloud, leveraging AI infrastructure and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) – and is managed end-to-end by Ericsson. The solution will help CSPs to quickly set up and grow core network services, operate efficiently and gain business flexibility with a fully managed, cloud-native platform.
Advancing Autonomous Network Operations with New Data Governance Foundations
The win further reflects Ericsson’s vision with Google Cloud for Autonomous Networks and Autonomous Networks Operations (ANOps) – a critical enabler for 5G monetization and future 6G deployment. Managing roughly 800,000 telecom sites worldwide, Ericsson has made data a strategic pillar for achieving full autonomy.
Google Cloud’s Dataplex Universal Catalog has enabled the creation of a unified business and technical glossary, comprehensive metadata discovery, measurable data quality, and automated lineage tracking. Ericsson’s Data Operating Model now governs enterprise-wide policies, roles, processes, and technologies across its data ecosystem.
The collaboration has been key to Ericsson’s rapid transformation of its Managed Services Networks business through large‑scale migration to Google Cloud, moving away from traditional data center infrastructure to a cloud-native operating model to achieve greater agility, resilience, and performance.
By leveraging Google Cloud’s AI‑optimized infrastructure—including Cloud TPUs and GPUs—Ericsson has strengthened the security posture and business continuity readiness of its managed services operations.
The improvements have resulted in superior performance and protection compared with legacy environments.
The next phase will integrate Generative AI, policy-driven controls, and data fabric principles to ensure data products remain secure, transparent, and high‑quality.
The recognition as Google Cloud Partner of the year 2026 underscores Ericsson’s role as the industry leader driving the future of telecommunications.
