News Summary

• Cisco and AT&T unveil a seamless digital buying experience for the new Cisco Meraki MG52 and MG52E Cellular Gateways.
• The integrated digital purchasing and instant-on provisioning from AT&T enable businesses to extend 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) easily across campus and branch environments.
• Businesses can expedite branch connectivity deployments through self-service AT&T data plan purchases directly from the Cisco Meraki dashboard.

Cisco and AT&T have announced a new digital buying experience designed to make it faster and easier for businesses to adopt 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). This innovative solution simplifies the process for businesses to extend connectivity across diverse campus and branch office environments.

Enhanced Connectivity with Cisco’s Latest Cellular Gateways

Cisco’s latest cellular gateways, the Meraki MG52 and MG52E, are the first true-5G, Standalone (SA) capable FWA devices with cloud-managed eSIM technology powered by Cisco IoT Control Center. Available this summer, these devices offer a seamless integration with AT&T’s wireless WAN service, allowing for zero-touch, instant-on provisioning. Businesses can simply plug the device into power and activate AT&T’s 5G connectivity through the Cisco Meraki dashboard.

Key Benefits of Cisco’s Cloud-Managed FWA Devices

The new cloud-managed FWA devices from Cisco are designed to provide robust, always-on, and highly secure 5G connectivity across the nation. Key benefits include:

• Increased Operational Efficiency: Scalable and flexible management simplifies network operations.
• Minimized Downtime: Seamless and resilient network performance reduces disruptions.
• Greater ROI: Long-lasting, durable FWA devices enhance investment returns.
• Deployment Flexibility: Ideal for difficult-to-reach locations.
• Quick Setup: Branch sites can be deployed within minutes with AT&T’s built-in 5G connectivity.

Simplified AT&T Data Plan Purchases with Cisco Meraki

Businesses can further reduce deployment times through a self-service purchasing model for AT&T data plans, accessible directly from the Cisco Meraki dashboard. The instant-on data from AT&T allows for immediate provisioning of full-stack Cisco networks, accelerating “day zero” operations. A complimentary 30-day introductory period is also offered to facilitate quick adoption.

Simplifying Network Deployment

The collaboration between Cisco and AT&T brings together advanced technology and service integration to streamline network deployment processes. This partnership aims to reduce complexity and deployment time, enabling businesses to focus on their core operations without the distraction of managing network connectivity issues.

Plug-and-Play Deployment

The Meraki MG52 and MG52E gateways offer a plug-and-play solution for businesses. The devices are pre-configured for quick setup, allowing businesses to extend their network reach instantly. This capability is particularly valuable for industries that require rapid deployment in various locations, such as retail, healthcare, and logistics.

Scalability and Flexibility

The cloud-managed nature of these devices ensures that they can scale with business needs. Whether expanding to new branches or enhancing connectivity in remote areas, the Meraki gateways provide the flexibility to meet diverse requirements. The scalable architecture supports large deployments, making it an ideal solution for growing enterprises.

Enhanced Security and Reliability

Security is a critical concern for businesses today. The Meraki MG52 and MG52E gateways come equipped with robust security features to protect sensitive data. These devices leverage Cisco’s IoT Control Center to provide secure and reliable connectivity, ensuring that business operations remain uninterrupted.

End-to-End Security

The integrated security features include advanced encryption protocols and secure boot capabilities, which safeguard the network from potential threats. Additionally, the cloud management platform allows for real-time monitoring and updates, further enhancing the security posture of the network.

Resilient Performance

The resilient performance of the Meraki gateways ensures minimal downtime. With features like automatic failover and redundant connectivity options, businesses can maintain continuous operations even in the face of network disruptions. This reliability is crucial for maintaining business continuity and ensuring a seamless customer experience.

Future-Ready Connectivity

The Meraki MG52 and MG52E gateways are designed to support future technological advancements. As the demand for higher bandwidth and low-latency applications grows, these devices are well-equipped to handle the evolving needs of businesses.

Supporting Advanced Applications

The gateways are capable of supporting a wide range of advanced applications, including Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, real-time analytics, and edge computing solutions. This capability positions businesses to leverage new technologies and innovations, driving digital transformation and competitive advantage.

Prepared for 5G Evolution

As 5G technology continues to evolve, the Meraki gateways are future-proofed to accommodate new standards and enhancements. This future-ready approach ensures that businesses can continue to benefit from the latest advancements in wireless connectivity without the need for frequent hardware upgrades.

Insights from AT&T and Cisco Leaders on 5G FWA Partnership

“Together with Cisco, we are making it faster and easier than ever for companies to reimagine their networks and conduct business with next-level connectivity,” said Mike Troiano, Senior Vice President, Product and Pricing, AT&T Business. “This offer is yet another way we are demonstrating our commitment to simplifying business challenges and enhancing the end-user experience.”

Jonathan Davidson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Networking, added, “As businesses continue to digitize their operations and connect more people, places, and things to the network, digital resiliency will continue to rise in importance. AT&T and Cisco share a vision to help businesses simplify operations so they can spend less time worrying about connectivity and security and focus on delivering unified experiences their customers can rely on.”

Nationwide Coverage and Availability of AT&T 5G FWA

AT&T FWA is available nationwide, with instant-on, zero-touch provisioning limited to the USA and select countries. For a list of these countries, businesses should contact AT&T directly.

This collaboration between Cisco and AT&T represents a significant step towards simplifying and accelerating 5G FWA deployment for businesses, offering a scalable, efficient, and resilient solution to meet their connectivity needs. The innovative approach to digital purchasing and instant provisioning marks a new era in enterprise networking, where speed, reliability, and security are paramount.

The partnership between Cisco and AT&T to offer a simplified, digital buying experience for 5G Fixed Wireless Access is poised to transform how businesses deploy and manage their networks. With the introduction of the Meraki MG52 and MG52E gateways, businesses can achieve faster deployment, enhanced security, and greater operational efficiency. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both companies to support the digital transformation journeys of businesses, providing them with the tools and connectivity needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.