HPE unveils AI-ready Juniper networking for operators

HPE has outlined new networking, compute, cloud operations and financing offerings for telecoms and cloud service providers ahead of Mobile World Congress 2026.

The announcements cover Juniper-branded routing platforms, server systems for radio access and core network deployments, and software to manage mixed virtualisation and container estates across multi-vendor environments. HPE also introduced a new financing programme through HPE Financial Services.

HPE framed the updates as the latest step in its integration of Juniper Networks and its broader push into AI infrastructure for service providers. Its expanded strategy focuses on secure networks built for AI traffic patterns and more automated operations.

"AI infrastructure is a critical growth driver for service providers. More than ever, HPE is committed to helping these customers lead in the AI era by building intelligent, next-generation networks that can support complex operations, rising data traffic, and the transformative capabilities of AI," said Rami Rahim, Executive Vice President, President and General Manager, Networking, HPE.

Rahim also highlighted management and security as key themes for operators modernising their networks. "With high-performing infrastructure; simplified ease of management across compute, storage, and networking; and built-in security, HPE is helping customers virtualise and modernise their networks, simplify operations, and create new, higher-value services and advanced AI capabilities," he said.

Routing updates

The routing announcements focus on the Juniper PTX family, used in the data centre and backbone parts of operator networks. The portfolio targets service providers, cloud providers and cloud-scale enterprise customers addressing AI-driven traffic growth. HPE highlighted the Juniper Express 5 ASIC as a key component of the PTX Series roadmap.

The latest PTX platforms deliver a 49% improvement in power efficiency compared with the previous generation, according to HPE. The company tied the update to operational efficiency and secure connectivity between data centres.

A headline addition is the Juniper PTX12000 line of modular routers, designed to scale AI and cloud traffic without repeated infrastructure redesigns. It uses 800G port density on platforms described as 1.6T-ready.

HPE provided top-end scale figures for two variants: the 8-slot PTX12008 scales to 345.6T, and the 12-slot PTX12012 scales to 518.4T.

HPE also introduced the Juniper PTX10002 line of fixed-form routers, described as a compact 2RU system for AI network fabrics. The line offers 28.8T or 14.4T of throughput, with multi-rate 100G, 400G and 800G port options.

In software, HPE said Juniper Routing Director is now "agentic-AI ready", allowing customers to connect it to their own AI co-pilots. HPE linked the update to workflow automation, WAN routing optimisation and post-deployment operations.

Compute systems

Alongside the networking updates, HPE detailed new compute products and integrations aimed at telecoms deployments from edge sites through the core network.

The HPE ProLiant Compute EL9000 chassis and EL140 Gen12 server provide 2x fronthaul network bandwidth and a 20% core count increase compared with earlier generations, HPE said. The company added that the combination enables operators to handle twice the network traffic on a single server.

HPE said the system delivers 72 CPU cores and 24 network ports per server in a 2U form factor, with the chassis supporting up to two servers. The platform uses the Intel Xeon 6 SoC with vRAN boost. HPE also said built-in security supports compliance with network security standards.

HPE also said the Juniper Cloud Native Router is now available on the 1U HPE ProLiant Compute DL110 and the 2U HPE ProLiant EL140 Gen12 servers. The integration consolidates RAN and compute functions into a single server, and could allow operators to eliminate routing hardware at cell sites, reducing purchase and energy costs.

Cloud operations

HPE said service providers are under pressure to revisit their cloud operating models as virtualisation costs rise and sovereign data requirements increase. It also pointed to the need to unify virtual machines and containers across the 5G core.

HPE Cloud Ops Software is positioned as an integrated cloud management stack that brings together virtualisation and containers, monitoring and full-stack observability, AIOps, cyber resiliency, DevOps automation and FinOps across multicloud and multi-vendor environments. HPE said it provides a unified control plane for private cloud modernisation and reduces reliance on hypervisors it described as cost-prohibitive.

Financing option

HPE Financial Services announced a new 90/9 Advantage financing programme, positioned as a response to commodity pricing uncertainty. Under the programme, customers make no payments for the first 90 days, followed by monthly lease payments of 1% for the next nine months. HPE said it is available across its networking, compute, storage and software portfolio.

Industry view

ACG Research linked the announcements to changing traffic patterns associated with AI services. "As AI reshapes traffic patterns and drives new uplink, latency, and capacity demands, HPE's leadership in high-performance routing, switching, AI-native automation, telco cloud architectures, and security ensures operators are equipped for the next era of AI-driven connectivity," said Ray Mota, CEO and Principal Analyst at ACG Research.

"HPE delivers the architectural and operational foundation service providers need to fully participate in the AI value chain, resulting in a differentiated ability to offer secure, autonomous, on-demand digital services at scale," Mota said.

HPE said it will present the new routing, compute and software offerings as part of its Mobile World Congress presence, alongside demonstrations covering network automation, private 5G, Wi‑Fi and unified SASE.