The Dutch mobile operator VodafoneZiggo has awarded Ericsson an evolved packet core contract.

The Ericsson virtual Evolved Packet Core solution will be deployed on VodafoneZiggo’s common cloud infrastructure during second half of 2018, a project that will be supported and facilitated by Ericsson’s capability to deliver the most efficient solutions on market-leading cloud platforms.

The Ericsson virtual Evolved Packet Core enables implementation of network slicing, which makes sure that applications used in industrial communications obtain a guaranteed amount of network resources.

One business customer may require ultra-reliable services, whereas other business customers may need ultra-high bandwidth or extremely low latency. The Ericsson network supports a range of capabilities to meet all these diverse customer requirements at the same time.

Eben Albertyn, Executive Director of Technology, VodafoneZiggo, says: “We are leading the way towards our vision of a Gigabit Society and Ericsson is our strategic technology partner. The core network products, solutions and services that Ericsson provides to us facilitates the introduction of Internet of Things applications and will pave the way towards 5G.”

Arun Bansal, Head of Regions Europe and Latin America, Ericsson, says: “Last year VodafoneZiggo selected us as the supplier of Mobile Core and IMS Core. With the addition of the Ericsson virtual Evolved Packet Core solution, we are now delivering a suite of scalable, tightly integrated and future-proof core network solutions for the benefit of VodafoneZiggo’s customers.”

In addition to the Ericsson core network infrastructure, Ericsson is also the sole supplier for the macro radio network including 5G, and delivers Managed Services covering network rollout and deployment as well as network design and optimization. Both these agreements are valid until the end of 2020.

VodafoneZiggo is a joint venture between Vodafone Netherlands and Ziggo. The two parent companies Vodafone Global and Liberty Global are two of the largest mobile and cable operators respectively. Through the joint venture they combine their offerings and provide converged fixed and mobile services to consumers and enterprises in the Netherlands.