Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Ericsson have unveiled plans to open a joint validation laboratory aimed at helping telecommunications providers navigate the challenges of deploying multi-vendor 5G infrastructure.
The lab, based near Ericsson’s headquarters in Sweden, will test the interoperability of a combined stack that includes Ericsson’s Cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core software, HPE’s new ProLiant Gen12 servers, and HPE Juniper Networking’s fabric, managed by Apstra Data Center Director.
Red Hat’s OpenShift platform will underpin the setup, serving as a common Cloud-native layer.
The collaboration marks one of the first public announcements where HPE and Juniper technologies have been integrated into a single telco solution. The companies said the initiative is intended to help operators streamline operations, accelerate innovation, and reduce the complexity of introducing new 5G services.
“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 of HPE’s Telco Infrastructure Business.
Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core software supports both 4G and 5G networks, a feature the company said helps operators lower costs while future-proofing their networks. HPE’s Gen12 servers, powered by Intel’s Xeon 6 processors, are designed for network-intensive workloads and include the firm’s latest built-in security system, Integrated Lights Out 7.
The HPE Juniper Networking fabric brings automation and AI-driven assurance to network operations, while Red Hat OpenShift provides a consistent platform for managing and scaling network functions across core and edge deployments.
The validation lab is expected to become operational by the end of 2025, with customer testing to follow soon after. In the first half of 2026, the focus will shift to validating the integrated solution for faster deployment and simplified lifecycle management.
The initiative underscores a growing trend among major telecom equipment suppliers to collaborate across traditional boundaries as operators demand greater flexibility and interoperability in the 5G era.
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