Redback Networks
Redback Networks was a San Jose-based provider of advanced telecommunications networking equipment serving North American carriers, founded in 1996 and later acquired by Ericsson.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1876
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Redback Networks does
Redback Networks was a San Jose, California-based provider of advanced telecommunications networking equipment serving communications service providers in North America. Founded in 1996 and operating with 501–1,000 employees, the company developed carrier-grade routing and switching infrastructure for telecom operators. Its strategic trajectory was defined by a transformative 1999 acquisition of Siara Systems for approximately $4.3 billion, which expanded the company into optical networking, and by later capital infusions including a $30 million TCV-led round in January 2004 and a strategic investment from Nokia in May 2002. Institutional backing from Sequoia Capital and Mayfield Fund (1996 founding round) underwrote early growth, and the company reached public-company status during the dot-com era.
Redback Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Redback Networks
- Legal name
- Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
- Website
- https://ericsson.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1876
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Redback Networks was a San Jose-based provider of advanced telecommunications networking equipment serving North American carriers, founded in 1996 and later acquired by Ericsson.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Redback Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecom Networking Equipment
- NAICS
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP) (HDAIAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Backhaul & Middle Mile Transport (cell site backhaul, aggregation) (HDAIAEAC), Fiber Backhaul to Towers & Small Cells (Fronthaul/Midhaul/Backhaul) (HDAIAKAK)
Keywords
Where Redback Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Redback Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Redback Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Redback Networks designs, manufactures, and sells advanced telecommunications networking equipment for service providers in North America. The company's portfolio centers on carrier-grade routing platforms that enable broadband aggregation, edge networking, and IP service delivery for telecom operators. Following its integration with Ericsson, Redback's offerings are now part of Ericsson's broader networking equipment ecosystem spanning radio access, core, and transport.
Product overview
Ericsson offers a comprehensive telecommunications portfolio organized around key platforms: 5G RAN solutions (Ericsson Radio System, Massive MIMO Radios, Remote Radio Units, Antenna System, Radio Dot System, RAN Compute, RAN Connect), 5G Core network solutions (Intelligent Core, Dual-Mode 5G Core, Compact Packet Core, Integrated Core, Ultra Compact Core, On-Demand), 5G Transport (MINI-LINK 6000, Fronthaul 6000, Router 6000, Transport Automation Controller), Network Services (Intelligent Deployment, Intelligent Support, Open RAN Services, Site Digital Twin), OSS/BSS Solutions (Digital Experience Platform, Catalog Manager, Order Care, Digital Monetization Platform, Service Orchestration, Charging and Billing, Telco DataOps Platform, Intelligent IT Suite), Network Automation and AI (Intelligent Automation Platform, rApps, Cognitive Network Solutions), Managed Network Services (Operations Engine, Network Service Operations, Energy Infrastructure Operations, Customer Experience Insights), Enterprise Wireless WAN, and Network APIs. These products work together as an integrated ecosystem enabling CSPs to deploy, operate, and monetize 5G networks from radio access through core to business support systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ericsson Radio System: RAN portfolio including Massive MIMO radios, remote radio units, antenna systems
- Ericsson Operations Engine
- Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP)
- Ericsson Private 5G
- Ericsson Cloud RAN
- MINI-LINK
- Router 6000
- Fronthaul 6000
- Cradlepoint
- Vonage
Products and services
- Ericsson Radio System
Companies that use Redback Networks
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
Redback Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability9 records
Redback Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Redback Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Huawei: Largest global telecom equipment vendor competing across RAN, core, and transport; constrained in some Western markets but dominant in Asia, Africa, and parts of LATAM.
- ZTE Corporation: Chinese telecom equipment vendor competing across RAN, core, and transport; similarly constrained in Western markets but a meaningful share competitor in emerging markets.
- Samsung Networks: Increasingly active in 5G RAN, core, and private 5G, overlapping with the subject company's portfolio, particularly in markets like Korea, the US, and India.
- Nokia: One of the three global incumbent RAN/5G/core vendors and a direct end-to-end competitor; Nokia is also a documented past investor in the subject company, highlighting the strategic overlap.
Direct peers
- Ciena: Specialist in optical and packet networking for telecom operators, with overlapping transport and backhaul product lines (e.g., coherent optics, aggregation) serving the same CSP customers.
- Juniper Networks: Direct competitor in IP/MPLS routing, edge routing, and telecom-grade networking equipment, with overlapping customers among large CSPs and enterprises.
- Cisco Systems: Global leader in networking and telecom equipment (routers, switches, IP transport) and a direct competitor in IP/MPLS routing and broadband aggregation — the same product category the subject company serves.
- ADTRAN: Provider of broadband access and aggregation equipment for service providers, directly comparable in the edge/aggregation router and fiber access category.
- Calix: Broadband access and aggregation platform vendor serving service providers and MDUs; directly comparable in broadband subscriber edge/aggregation equipment.
Emerging players
- Mavenir: Open RAN and cloud-native telecom software vendor challenging incumbent RAN/core/transport vendors; an emerging disruptor in the same end-to-end telecom stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses6 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Redback Networks social profiles
Digital presenceRedback Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Redback Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Redback Networks subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Redback Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Redback Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Redback Networks
What does Redback Networks do?
Redback Networks designs, manufactures, and sells advanced telecommunications networking equipment for service providers in North America. The company's portfolio centers on carrier-grade routing platforms that enable broadband aggregation, edge networking, and IP service delivery for telecom operators. Following its integration with Ericsson, Redback's offerings are now part of Ericsson's broader networking equipment ecosystem spanning radio access, core, and transport.
Is Redback Networks a public or private company?
Redback Networks is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Redback Networks founded?
Redback Networks was founded in 1876. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Redback Networks based?
Redback Networks is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Redback Networks's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Huawei, ZTE Corporation, Samsung Networks and Nokia. Direct peers are Ciena, Juniper Networks, Cisco Systems, ADTRAN and Calix. Mavenir is listed as an emerging player.
Does Redback Networks have an API?
Yes. Ericsson exposes network capabilities through standardized CAMARA APIs, enabling developers to access advanced 5G capabilities such as differentiated connectivity, location, security/authentication, and network insights. Network APIs allow applications and mobile networks to communicate, offering service providers new monetization opportunities. APIs are accessible through the Vonage developer platform which has a community of 1.6 million developers across 100+ countries. Developer documentation is at developer.vonage.com/en/home.
What industry is Redback Networks in?
Redback Networks's product category is Telecom Networking Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAFAG, Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP), with a secondary code of HDAIAEAC, Backhaul & Middle Mile Transport (cell site backhaul, aggregation). Its NAICS code is 33429 and its SIC code is 3576.