5G IoT
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AT&T and Cisco today announced enterprise customers can now use the operator’s 5G network for IoT devices. The update provides IoT devices with lower latency, higher network capacity, and faster speeds.

“5G will empower businesses across all industries to digitize faster and reshape business models,” Masum Mir, Cisco’s VP and GM for IoT, said in a statement.

The operator and vendor in late 2020 revitalized a decade-long partnership on IoT to make Cisco’s IoT Control Center available to AT&T’s business customers, but the 5G capability wasn’t part of that offer until now. The IoT management platform, which is largely the result of Cisco’s $1.4 billion acquisition of Jasper in 2016, gained some new features in 2020 including machine learning and tighter integration between service providers and vendors. 

AT&T Control Center powered by Cisco currently manages IoT devices in manufacturing, utilities, transportation, government, retail, and health care. Extending that service to AT&T’s sub-6 GHz 5G network allows businesses to run more intensive IoT applications that require faster speeds, response times, and near real-time visibility, according to AT&T.

AT&T promotes 5G for massive IoT push

“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,” AT&T VP William Stovall said in a statement. “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.”

Mobile network operators consistently position 5G as an accelerant for IoT, but the market has been a long time coming, inching along for at least 15 years. With the arrival of 5G, operators are determined to finally bring IoT out of the shadows.

AT&T’s low-band 5G network currently covers more than 251 million people, and the carrier claims its mid-band 5G network will cover up to 75 million people by the end of 2022, and 200 million U.S. residents by the end of 2023. 

The operator cited automotive, emergency response, entertainment, and manufacturing as standout opportunities for IoT devices connected to a 5G network.