Exclusive: Ericsson’s Nathan McGregor outlines wireless tech innovations
The Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific for Enterprise Wireless Solutions at Ericsson has revealed his insights on the company's pivotal role in the wireless networking space, and how Ericsson is helping industries navigate the complexities of modern connectivity.
Formerly known as Cradlepoint, the company rebranded to Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions recently, following its acquisition by Ericsson in 2020.
This transition marks the integration of enterprise wireless technologies into Ericsson's broader offerings, focusing on delivering 5G and LTE solutions to industries.
Nathan McGregor explained that the rebrand isn't just cosmetic but reflects a deeper alignment with Ericsson's vision of providing enterprise-grade wireless solutions.
"We aim to bring 5G wireless technology to enterprises, helping them innovate and operate without constraints," he said.
The company provides a range of wireless products, including hardware routers and cloud management platforms, which cater to highly distributed, scalable solutions for industries such as mining, healthcare, and retail.
Delivering Always-On Connectivity
Ericsson's mission revolves around ensuring enterprises remain connected, particularly in challenging environments where traditional fixed-line solutions are either unavailable or unreliable.
"In today's world, businesses can't afford to be offline, especially as they're so dependent on cloud-based systems," McGregor noted.
For companies like Coles, which publicly uses Ericsson's wireless solutions as a failover to their fixed-line connectivity, this reliability is crucial.
The company has been pivotal in enhancing connectivity in Australia, particularly in areas where wired solutions are not viable.
"We solve those problems for companies like Coles, ensuring their stores can operate seamlessly even during network outages," McGregor added.
Ericsson's wireless technology is also being used by South Australia Power Networks in the company's service vehicles, ensuring real-time communication and workflow processes in the field.
Innovations in Wireless Networking
Ericsson's work in the wireless space extends beyond failover solutions. McGregor highlighted how they are pioneering in several key areas, including private cellular networks and Secure Link bonding.
"We've launched link bonding, enabling organisations to bond 5G and satellite networks, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even in the harshest conditions," he said.
The company is also focused on 5G private networks, a solution aimed at industries like manufacturing and mining.
"Private 5G is essentially a miniaturised version of a public network but designed for enterprises," McGregor explained.
This technology offers enterprises full control over their network, which is vital for high-end automation processes, such as those used in automated guided vehicles in warehouses.
In the Asia Pacific region, the company's reach is extensive.
"We have about 40 employees across APAC in the enterprise wireless solutions group," McGregor noted. These teams work closely with customers, ensuring localised support and personalised engagement.
5G and the Future of Connectivity
Ericsson was a pioneer in the enterprise-connected 5G space, being the first to market with Telstra on the world's first 5G enterprise devices. "That was before 2020, back when consumers were just starting to use 5G on mobile handsets," McGregor said.
He noted that while some enterprises still use 4G, the majority are transitioning to 5G.
The move to 5G, McGregor explained, is not only about faster internet but also about the possibilities it unlocks for industries that require highly reliable, low-latency connectivity. "We're enabling use cases like mobile high-definition broadcast cameras in sports venues, where uplink capabilities are crucial," he said.
Expanding with SASE
Another area where Ericsson is innovating is in the realm of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). "SASE is a way of getting all the benefits of SD-WAN but with advanced cybersecurity layers on top," McGregor explained.
Ericsson's unique take on SASE focuses on wireless security, particularly in environments with IoT sensors and mobile devices, where traditional security models may fall short.
"With the increase in IoT and edge computing, the attack surface grows, and SASE provides the necessary protection," McGregor said, highlighting how this is becoming an increasingly critical solution for their enterprise customers.
Meeting Customer Needs
When asked why customers choose Ericsson over competitors, McGregor pointed to the company's long-standing reputation for quality.
"Ericsson is known for having high-quality products that do exactly what they say they will," he said. Moreover, the company's cloud-based management platform, NetCloud, offers unparalleled simplicity and operational capability.
Ericsson's customer base spans both public and private sectors, including industries like construction, retail, healthcare, and emergency services. "In the public sector, emergency services such as police and ambulance services heavily rely on our solutions for reliable, always-on connectivity," McGregor said.
Looking Ahead
As McGregor reflected on the future, he shared that the company's trajectory is rooted in growth, particularly in emerging technologies such as 5G and satellite solutions. "We're seeing more companies cut the cord and move to wireless-only setups, which is a significant shift from just a year or two ago," he noted.
The company is also making strides in the vehicle connectivity space, with growing demand from public sector fleets and private industries alike.
"Our customers are increasingly looking for solutions that provide resilience, scalability, and simplicity," McGregor said.
In conclusion, McGregor expressed excitement for what lies ahead at Ericsson.
"We're at the forefront of wireless technology, and the possibilities for innovation are endless," he said. "Ericsson is enabling enterprises to operate anywhere, without constraints."
