specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Cradlepoint
providerId: cradlepoint
created: '2026-05-25'
modified: '2026-05-25'
reconciled: false
tags:
  - FinOps
  - FOCUS
  - Wireless WAN
  - 5G
  - NetCloud
description: >-
  FOCUS-aligned FinOps view of the Cradlepoint commercial surface. Cradlepoint
  billing is contract-driven (per-router NetCloud subscriptions plus
  hardware, with optional SASE / Private 5G add-ons). There is no per-API-call
  metered billing for the NetCloud Manager API itself; the API is included
  with every NetCloud subscription. Customers see invoices through Ericsson
  Enterprise Wireless Solutions or authorized partners and reconcile against
  their NCM router inventory.
sources:
  - https://cradlepoint.com/products/netcloud-service/
  - https://cradlepoint.com/products/netcloud-sase/
  - https://customer.cradlepoint.com/s/article/NCM-APIv2-Overview
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Cradlepoint (Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions)
serviceCategory: Networking
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription
  pricingUnits:
    - device-year
    - site-year
  meteredUsage: false
  commitmentDiscounts: true
costAttribution:
  primaryKey: router (NCM device ID)
  secondaryKeys:
    - account
    - group
    - subscription
chargeCategories:
  - id: hardware
    name: Hardware
    description: Per-router list/quote price for Cradlepoint edge devices (IBR / E300 / E3000 / R1900 / R2100 / W1850).
  - id: netcloud-subscription
    name: NetCloud Subscription
    description: Annual or multi-year NetCloud tier (Essentials / Advanced / Advanced Plus) charged per managed router.
  - id: netcloud-sase
    name: NetCloud SASE
    description: NetCloud Exchange Secure Connect, SD-WAN, ZTNA add-ons (per site / per user).
  - id: private-5g
    name: Ericsson Private 5G
    description: Private cellular network deployments with Ericsson Private 5G integrated with Cradlepoint edge.
  - id: support
    name: Support and Services
    description: Premium / 24x7 / on-site support packages and professional services.
focusFields:
  - field: ChargeCategory
    value: One of Usage, Purchase, Tax (mapped from subscription / hardware / addon)
  - field: ServiceCategory
    value: Networking
  - field: PricingUnit
    value: device-year | site-year
  - field: BillingAccountId
    value: Cradlepoint / Ericsson sales account number
recommendations:
  - Tag NCM routers and groups by business unit so FOCUS BillingAccountId can be derived.
  - Track NetCloud tier upgrades — they materially shift unit cost.
  - Reconcile NCM router count against subscription count at renewal.