AT&T, Cisco Empower IoT with 5G Capabilities

5G will touch all. While ubiquity of this next generation networking technology is quite a ways away, collectively we are headed in the right direction. Innovation is at a fever pitch, adoption is seeing an uptick and the IoT stands to benefit.

AT&T and Cisco announced 5G network capabilities to enhance IoT application performance across the United States. The power duo currently manage millions of connected devices, and plan on empowering billions more with AT&T Control Center powered by Cisco on the wings of 5G.

The joint solution promises improved security, anomaly identification and optimized traffic classification reporting.

"5G will empower businesses across all industries to digitize faster and reshape business models," said Masum Mir, Vice President and General Manager, Cable, Mobility and IoT, Cisco. "Together with AT&T we are marking a milestone for AT&T Control Center customers to harness the power of 5G to connect industrial and business-critical devices for ultimate IoT visibility." 

Enterprises leveraging AT&T’s sub-6GHz 5G network benefit in a cornucopia of ways. Connected vehicles with 5G capability deliver drivers an enhanced experience with faster download speeds, uninterrupted streaming as well as hiccup-free sharing. For me, the on-the-go improved navigation is a nice value-add, as well.

Manufacturers make the most of 5G’s low-latency speeds with camera deployments to assist in identifying and monitoring product defects in close to real time. Waste is reduced and the assembly line achieves efficiency.

Public safety is priority with AT&T’s FirstNet, the newly unveiled 5G capabilities offer mobile personal emergency response device providers and users greater independences and security with accelerated response times.

“Working with Cisco, we continue to help businesses deploy IoT devices and applications faster and more securely and get more value out of devices they use,” said William Stovall, Vice President, Mobility, IoT and 5G, AT&T. “This is an important first step toward the IoT massive connectivity that will eventually create opportunities for enterprises to realize the full potential of IoT.”

Only time will tell what happens with this pairing, but it’s clear 5G will play a central role.

How does 5G impact your business?