@ MWC: Ericsson, Akamai partnership centers on better mobile web experience

BARCELONA, Spain – L.M. Ericsson signed a strategic alliance with Akamai Technologies Inc. to jointly develop solutions around improving the end-user experience on the mobile web. Ultimately, the combination could enable over-the-top content providers to help develop better partnerships with wireless operators, said Mikael Back, VP of Product and Portfolio Management in Ericsson’s networks business.
The alliance is trying to accelerate bringing mobile cloud-based solutions to market, improving the experience around mobile commerce, enterprise apps and Internet content. People who shop online tend to cancel the experience if it takes too long, Back noted. Akamai works with online retailers to make sure that the end user experience is good. But as more people start to shop from their mobile devices, retailers want to ensure those customers don’t become frustrated with the process. As such, the two companies are developing software to integrate Akamai’s delivery network into mobile networks for an end-to-end quality experience.
Successfully combining the two companies’ areas of expertise will enable wireless operators to offer value to over-the-top providers and be able to monetize that experience as well, Back said.