Ericsson Goes ‘Native’ with Google in First 5G Public Cloud Offer

Ericsson Goes ‘Native’ with Google in First 5G Public Cloud Offer

In a landmark move that could reshape the telecom industry, Swedish telecom equipment giant Ericsson has partnered with Google Cloud to launch its first-ever 5G offering built natively on a public cloud platform. This strategic collaboration marks a significant shift in how next-generation mobile networks are deployed and managed—eliminating the traditional dependency on purpose-built telco infrastructure and paving the way for more flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient networks.

The offering enables Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to deploy Ericsson’s cloud-native 5G Core on Google Cloud’s distributed cloud infrastructure. This approach allows telcos to harness the full power of the public cloud—on-demand scalability, near real-time analytics, and global reach—while reducing capital and operational expenditures. By going “cloud-native,” the 5G core network becomes more agile, making it easier to roll out services, manage upgrades, and respond quickly to market demands.

For Ericsson, this partnership reflects its commitment to helping telecom operators modernize their networks in an increasingly cloud-centric world. “Cloud-native is not just a buzzword—it’s the foundation for the future of telecommunications,” said Monica Zethzon, Head of Solution Area Core Networks at Ericsson. “By bringing our 5G core to Google Cloud, we’re giving operators a faster, leaner, and more flexible way to launch and manage 5G services.”

Google Cloud, in turn, gains a stronger foothold in the telecommunications space—an industry that’s increasingly embracing the cloud to meet growing data and service demands. The tech giant brings to the table its global infrastructure, robust AI and data analytics capabilities, and deep experience with cloud-native applications. Together, Ericsson and Google Cloud aim to deliver a turnkey solution for CSPs, enabling them to deploy 5G networks and services without building or maintaining their own physical data centers.

This move is particularly significant for emerging and mid-sized telecom operators, many of whom struggle with the high costs and complexities of building traditional network infrastructure. With Ericsson’s software stack integrated into Google Cloud, operators can bypass many of the legacy constraints and get to market faster with new services, from enhanced mobile broadband to enterprise 5G solutions like smart factories and autonomous transport.

Security, which remains a top concern for cloud adoption in telecom, is addressed through Google Cloud’s secure-by-design approach and Ericsson’s carrier-grade network features. The platform is expected to comply with the rigorous standards required by telecom regulators and enterprise customers.

While this marks Ericsson’s first native 5G cloud deployment on a public cloud, it may not be the last. The company has hinted at future collaborations and expanded offerings with other cloud providers as part of its broader cloud-native strategy.

In essence, this partnership is more than just a technical integration—it’s a sign of where the telecom industry is heading. As networks become more software-driven and service-oriented, the cloud will play an increasingly central role. With this Ericsson-Google collaboration, the future of 5G may no longer be tethered to the physical limitations of telco facilities, but instead defined by the flexibility and innovation of the cloud.