Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Ericsson have announced the launch of a joint validation lab designed to help telecommunications service providers overcome key challenges in deploying multi-vendor infrastructure for next-generation networks. The initiative focuses on validating a cloud-native, AI-enabled dual-mode 5G core solution that will allow operators to build high-performing, scalable, and efficient networks while reducing complexity and accelerating innovation.
The validation lab will serve as a comprehensive testing environment to ensure interoperability and compliance with telco requirements. It integrates Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core solution with HPE’s ProLiant Compute Gen12 servers, HPE Juniper Networking fabric managed by Apstra Data Center Director, and Red Hat OpenShift. This combination is aimed at enabling service providers to streamline operations, deliver new services faster, and meet the demands of increasingly connected digital ecosystems.
“Building on our strategic partnership with Ericsson, this collaboration reflects HPE’s commitment to empowering telco service providers with innovative technology solutions to thrive in the 5G and AI-driven economy,” said Fernando Castro Cristin, vice president and general manager, Telco Infrastructure Business at HPE. “By integrating Ericsson’s cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core and Red Hat OpenShift with our proven next-gen HPE compute infrastructure and HPE Juniper Networking fabric, we are developing a new integrated offering that will provide telco service providers with the flexibility to deploy rapidly, scale on demand, adapt to unpredictable traffic, provide predictable lifecycle management, and keep pace with emerging technologies.”
Building a flexible and future-proof solution
At the heart of the project is Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core, which supports both 5G and 4G networks. This approach simplifies operations, reduces costs, and helps operators scale more efficiently while future-proofing their networks for evolving demands.
HPE’s ProLiant Compute DL360 and DL380 Gen12 servers, powered by Intel Xeon 6 processors, are optimised for network-intensive containerised core network functions such as AMF, UPF, and SMF. The servers incorporate HPE Integrated Lights Out (iLO) 7 technology, which provides chip-to-cloud security and protection at every layer.
The networking layer is supported by HPE Juniper Networking’s high-performance fabric, which uses QFX Series switches and Apstra Data Center Director. This enables intent-based automation and AIOps-driven assurance, enhancing operational efficiency and lowering operating costs.
Red Hat OpenShift serves as the common cloud-native platform, giving telco providers the agility to develop, deploy, and scale new services quickly. Its consistent, automated operational experience from core to edge simplifies the deployment and management of complex network functions, reducing traditional deployment cycles and speeding up time to market.
Accelerating cloud-native 5G adoption
Ericsson, a global leader in 5G and core networks, sees this collaboration as a major step forward in advancing cloud-native solutions for next-generation networks. “As the world’s leader in 5G and core networks, Ericsson is committed to drive innovation and openness, simplifying the journey to cloud-native networks for telco service providers,” said Krishna Prasad Kalluri, head of solution and portfolio, Ericsson Core Networks. “Our partnership with HPE and the establishment of this joint validation lab further advances the creation of cloud-native solutions for 5G Core on multi-vendor infrastructure.”
The joint validation lab, located near Ericsson’s headquarters in Sweden, is expected to become operational by the end of 2025. Initially focused on testing interoperability and performance, the lab will later shift towards validating the fully integrated solution in the first half of 2026. This phase will focus on ensuring faster time-to-market and simplified lifecycle management for telco service providers.
By combining expertise and technology from HPE, Ericsson, and Red Hat, the new validation lab aims to accelerate the deployment of advanced 5G core solutions across multi-vendor environments, empowering service providers to deliver next-generation connectivity and services with greater speed, flexibility, and efficiency.
