Cisco's agile, programmable infrastructure will help service providers enter new markets by supporting next generation services

5G is coming, and it is bringing telecoms, internet and cable service providers new revenue generating opportunities.

By enabling greater flexibility and capacity, 5G will mean that new service areas like network as a service and virtual reality can come into their own. And the internet of things (IoT) will continue to expand. From connected cars and healthcare to smart cities and smart homes, there are expected to be more than 3.3 billion mobile-connected IoT devices by 2021.

If service providers can support these next generation services, they'll be able to break into these new markets and move ahead of their competitors. But to get there, they'll need to add more intelligence, power and capability to complex, multivendor infrastructures that are already becoming difficult to operate. We need a new way forward.

A unified approach

Building a 5G-ready network will mean harnessing the power of big data, automation, and orchestration, and bringing them together into a unified infrastructure. At Cisco, we've been working hard on how to do this, and we've devised an approach that allows service providers to deliver 5G faster and better.

Our 5G technology is based aroundCisco 5G Power^X-an open, programmable architecture that slims down multi-vendor, multi-domain networks into a unified system. Using technology like machine learning, 5G Power^Xenables service providers to create, validate and maintain the services of the future.

With 5G Power^X, service providers can break down silos, streamline network architecture and simplify their operations. And that means they can boost revenues and cut costs to outperform the competition.

Seamless convergence

Your customers aren't concerned with the technical details. They just want fast, flexible services they can count on. Our 5G technology helps you deliver these, by turning the complexity of modern networks into a system that's simple and efficient.

The technology'sseamless convergenceenables you to provide connectivity through different channels at the same time -whether that's cellular, Wi-Fi, or fixed wire-line access. It means that you can offer greater capacity and agility, as well as value-added services like redundant access, where a backup route is provided for extra reliability.

We also understand that a 5G world will require new approaches to security -because more connectivity means more exposure to threats. Ourunified services enablement platform includes Cisco's 5G Security Architecture; a comprehensive, orchestrated security suite, even for third party apps and services. You will also be able to extend this service to your customers as a managed security service, creating another new revenue opportunity.

Helping Verizon prepare for 5G

One service provider that is working hard to get ready for 5G is Verizon: the company is using Cisco technology to build one of the largest 5G proving grounds in the world.

Ed Chan,Verizon's senior vice president of technology, strategy and planning, explains that the company is being driven towards innovating with 5G because customers are increasingly using and expecting services that are wireless, cloud-based, and digital.

"The technology partnership with Cisco is helping us accelerate the deployment of new enterprise 5G services to support our enterprise customers with improved security, scalability, and agility in their digitization journey," says Mr Chan.

Our support can help you follow Verizon's lead and enable you to transform the way your network runs, making it ready for a 5G world. We can help you use new technology to unlock new services and new revenue streams, and make the most of the 5G future.

Unlock a world of innovation.

Read more about Cisco's 5G technology