Cisco Touts Private Multifunctional 5G SaaS

Enterprises have been waiting eagerly for the deployment of 5G networks around the globe but it will be sometime before the supporting infrastructure is able to provide blanket coverage. Seizing on this unmet market demand, Cisco and its global partners will be offering a private 5G as-a-service capable of combining elements of Wi-Fi, 5G and IoT. This complete solution will allow early adopters to enhance their capabilities ahead of their competitors.

"Cisco has an unbiased wireless strategy for the future of hybrid work. 5G must work with Wi-Fi and existing IT environments to make digital transformation easy," said Jonathan Davidson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mass-Scale Infrastructure Group, Cisco. "Businesses continuing their digitization strategies using IoT, analytics and automation will create significant competitive advantages in value, sustainability, efficiency and agility. Working together with our global partners to enable those outcomes with Cisco Private 5G is our unique value proposition to the enterprise."

Until now, the connectivity and intercommunication of devices had been limited to Wi-Fi. In contrast to its competitors, Cisco’s private 5G solution will be delivered as a subscription service in partnership with global service providers and system integration partners, reducing technical, financial and operational risks. Furthermore, Cisco’s solution is meant to complement the network capacity with existing enterprise systems, including existing and future Wi-Fi versions 5/6/6E, making operations and future transitions simple. This solution is not meant to replace the original investments businesses have made in Wi-Fi, Ethernet transport or other corresponding management systems. Overall, its combined power will grant enterprises the ability to connect their capital assets, factory floors, supply chains and venues across geographic locations. Once the onboarding process is complete, enterprises will have visibility across their network and devices, a long-awaited capability.

"Cisco is busting the myth that enterprises can[not] cross Wi-Fi, private 5G and IoT streams. Enterprises are now tantalizingly closer to full visibility over their digital and physical environments. This opens up powerful new ways to innovate without compromising the robust control that enterprises require,” said Camille Mendler, Chief Analyst Enterprise Services, Omdia.

In Mexico, Telcel’s 5G network will initially be limited to Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, leaving many industrial hubs without access until the company is able to grow its coverage. Consequently, manufacturing companies stand to benefit from Cisco’s 5Gaas, which they can use until Telcel is able to extend this coverage to them. Most importantly, however, early adopters stand to benefit from the added capabilities and knowhow.