Ericsson’s AI-Powered Troubleshooting and Future Technological Innovations

Integrator Media had an exclusive interview with Majda Lahlou Kassi, Vice President and Head of Ericsson West Africa & Morocco.

With your background in technology, sales, strategy, and operations, how do you plan to drive Ericsson’s technological initiatives?

With my background spanning technology, sales, strategy, and operations at Ericsson, my focus is on driving the company’s technological initiatives in West Africa. Having travelled extensively to engage with customers directly, I have always prioritized understanding their needs and enhancing network performance to deliver impactful solutions. Believing in Africa’s immense potential, I am dedicated to driving forward Ericsson’s ‘Africa in Motion’ initiative. Through this initiative, we aim to leverage our best talent and expertise to empower sustainable growth, economic development, and connectivity across Africa. Drawing from experience, we are confident in identifying and seizing opportunities for success while navigating the current challenges. We aim to ensure widespread connectivity through strategic partnerships and innovative technologies like 4G, 5G and mobile financial services, especially in rural areas. By fostering digital literacy, promoting financial inclusion, and collaborating with stakeholders, we strive to empower communities, accelerate Africa’s digitalization efforts, and support its journey towards achieving technological and sustainable development goals.

How does Ericsson plan to support the digital transformation of networks in the region?

At Ericsson, we are committed to supporting the digital transformation of networks through 5G. Our global network platform connects developers to global capabilities, fostering the creation of new applications. With global 5G population coverage projected to increase from 45 percent to around 85 percent in 2029, we believe that 5G should go beyond the capabilities of 4G, and our approach is to make these capabilities accessible for others to integrate into various applications and devices. We also have opened a 5G Core Excellence Center in the Middle East and Africa, showcasing the real-world applications of 5G, including fixed wireless access, cloud gaming, and enterprise offerings. We are dedicated to addressing pressing global issues while also enhancing communication infrastructure’s accessibility and affordability for sustainable economic growth.

To meet Africa’s increasing broadband demands, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) emerges as a pivotal technology. While 4G FWA is an initial steppingstone, 5G’s potential is increasingly coming to the forefront due to its capability to deliver fiber-like speeds. This advancement complements traditional fixed broadband infrastructure within the region. Notably, several key African markets, including Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, have already launched 5G FWA services. This shift can be attributed to its cost effectiveness, rapid deployment capabilities and inherent flexibility.

1. How does Ericsson align its technologies and solutions to support sustainable activities and goals in Africa?

Ericsson firmly believes that sustainability is at the foundation of our business success. Through ‘Africa in Motion’, we aim for a sustainably developed Africa. Achieving sustainable high-speed connectivity in Africa requires leveraging global collaboration and technological advancements such as 5G, AI, and IoT. These emerging technologies serve as critical means for decarbonization efforts. ICT solutions have the potential to reduce global carbon emissions by up to 15% by 2030.

When it comes to our solutions, the intelligent RAN energy-saving software as well as our triple-band, tri-sector 5G radio technology has shown significant energy reductions. We also promote waste reduction through smart product design and comprehensive take-back services, addressing e-waste.

Last year, Ericsson and Free Senegal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a proof-of-concept (PoC) project that provides a digital education ecosystem for schools in Senegal. As part of the PoC, a few schools will be connected with FWA technology, and also provided with laptops, learning content, and teacher training to support the development of the ecosystem. The project will demonstrate how FWA, by utilizing existing mobile radio networks, is an effective solution to connect schools and bridge the educational divide.

Another initiative is our collaboration with Smart Africa Digital Academy to enhance critical digital skills of senior public sector officials. 100 policy makers and regulators across 19 African countries attended virtual workshops in emerging technologies over a three-month period.

Ericsson’s goal is to achieve Net Zero in our own operations (fleet, facilities, business travel and commuting/teleworking) by 2030. We aim to generate value for the future and continue to develop innovative solutions that extend broadband access to over a billion people in Africa, all while addressing sustainability and energy and carbon emission challenges.

The extension of Ericsson Expert Analytics with advanced troubleshooting capabilities is interesting. Can you share more about how machine learning and AI tools will benefit telecom networks in the region?

The extension of Ericsson Expert Analytics, featuring advanced troubleshooting capabilities driven by machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools, marks a pivotal advancement for telecom networks in the region. This technology takes troubleshooting to the next level by integrating embedded intelligence and built-in domain knowledge, making incident identification and resolution more practically seamless. With ML-based anomaly detection, the system provides actionable insights, resulting in faster and more accurate issue resolution during network events. This enhances the reliability of telecom networks and ensures a proactive approach to addressing challenges in real-time.

The application of AI in network analytics is a transformative force in the regional telecommunications landscape. By leveraging AI’s unique automation capabilities, Ericsson contributes to the ongoing evolution of telecom networks. This includes managing and automating complex network data, predicting patterns and issues, and ultimately boosting network performance.

How does Ericsson plan to stay ahead in terms of technological innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of telecom services?

Our strategy to stay ahead in technological innovation involves a holistic approach focused on expanding our enterprise business, fostering cultural transformation, and fortifying our leadership in mobile networks. Leveraging our proven technology, we’re committed to broadening our portfolio and unlocking new avenues of growth. Public-private partnerships will continue to be instrumental in our sustainability and digital inclusion efforts. Our emphasis on the Global Network Platform (GNP) accelerates the development and availability of network services and APIs, enhancing accessibility for users and fostering collaboration with CSPs, application developers, and enterprises.

Additionally, our dedication to tackling global challenges such as climate change and inequality remains steadfast. The recent establishment of the 5G Core Excellence Center demonstrates our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of 5G technology. As we have just concluded a transformative year, Ericsson remains focused on connecting communities, driving innovation, and leading the charge towards a sustainable and digitally inclusive future.