Expanding WAN Limits

Wireless edge networking specialist Cradlepoint in September revealed that Swedish telecom equipment giant Ericsson would be acquiring the company for $1.1 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Cradlepoint will become a fully owned subsidiary of Ericsson, landing in the company’s Business Area Technologies and New Businesses unit, while continuing to operate under its existing brand, the companies said.

Boise, Idaho-based Cradlepoint has been focused on unlocking the power of LTE and next-generation cellular technologies, such as 5G, for business customers through its robust channel ecosystem. The provider has been especially busy helping businesses get back up and running with connectivity in new places as the COVID-19 pandemic forces new use cases that require a connection, like outside and curbside services. The combination of Ericsson’s existing 5G Enterprise portfolio, which includes dedicated networks and a global IoT platform, and Cradlepoint’s WAN edge services will help the company continue to compete against Cisco Meraki in the wireless LTE space and further the soon-to-be combined company’s focus on 5G and edge connectivity, Cradlepoint CEO George Mulhern told CRN in an interview.

Here’s what Mulhern has to say about the Ericsson deal, competing with Cisco Meraki, and the future 5G opportunities for the channel.