Addressing a Seamless, Flexible and Native Integration with Webex Calling

The companies announced plans that will help ensure a seamless and reliable mobile-first collaboration experience, allowing users the flexibility to take calls across multiple devices while traveling for work, running errands and more.

Cisco and AT&T says with the dramatic increase in the use of mobile phones as the primary business device, enterprises need connectivity solutions that are easy to manage, secure and provide the flexibility and reliability desired for work from anywhere. The Cisco and AT&T integration addresses this need with key features including:

• Single number mobile identity: Combining the capabilities of an AT&T wireless smartphone with the native integration of Webex Calling will provide greater functionality and flexibility for on-the-go communication.
• Reduce costs: This integration helps enterprise customers lower costs by reducing or eliminating the need for traditional fixed business lines.
• Crystal clear voice: AT&T Cloud Voice with Webex Go allows users to securely make and receive business calls using AT&T’s fast, reliable nationwide mobile network and seamlessly elevate calls to a Webex collaboration experience across the Webex App and devices, with capabilities like closed captioning, noise removal, and whiteboarding.
• Fast, efficient, and secure collaboration: AT&T and Cisco’s joint solution will increase the ability to effectively and securely collaborate no matter the location, resulting in improved knowledge sharing and faster decision making.

AT&T Cloud Voice with Webex Go will be available for all Webex Calling users from Cisco partners in the United States later this year.

SD-WAN Connectivity for SMBs, Enterprise Businesses

Demand for unified experiences over secure connectivity to the cloud and site-to-site continues to surge. Cisco and AT&T are working together to bring secure on-demand connectivity for SD-WAN with add-on services that may include mobile 5G and fiber broadband to businesses of every size.

For small and medium businesses, AT&T is launching a new self-service option to simplify and accelerate SD-WAN deployment. Businesses can now connect, protect, manage, and scale their networks using AT&T Business Wi-Fi with Cisco Meraki.

For larger enterprises, AT&T SD-WAN with Cisco is a fully managed connectivity solution with embedded security and analytics. Enterprises can now connect a user or device to any application in their multicloud using a secure access service edge (SASE)-enabled architecture. This delivers integrated security and application optimization for end-to-end visibility.

Cisco will also provide the ability to embed AT&T wireless connectivity into Cisco devices enabling zero touch provisioning for Cisco and AT&T customers, through AT&T Control Center powered by Cisco.

“The network is at the core of the modern workforce. The ability to get things done is no longer reliant on where you are, but how you are connected,” said Jonathan Davidson, EVP and general manager of Cisco Networking. “Hybrid work only works when there is a seamless, consistent, and secure experience for workers, regardless of location. Together with AT&T, we are giving businesses what they need to securely connect everything and everyone—wherever they are. Because when everything is connected, then anything is possible.”

Mike Troiano, SVP, business products, AT&T“Mobility, said, in a statement, “Mobility is key to enabling hybrid work. Businesses want a seamless and reliable communication experience. At the heart of our collaboration with Cisco is a shared vision to empower organizations with secure connectivity, unmatched reliability, and deep network expertise. By deeply integrating our technology, businesses can be assured their communications are built on a solid foundation. Together we are unlocking new levels of productivity, agility, and connectivity— enabling teams to thrive in the modern work landscape.”

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Current AT&T consumer unlimited wireless plans will come with 5G at no additional cost starting Aug. 7, and business unlimited web-only and starter plans will get 5G access on the same date. That means business customers with any of AT&T’s Business Unlimited, Web-only, Starter, Performance or Elite plans will have access to the upgraded network at no additional cost.

Chris Sambar, executive vice president of technology operations at AT&T, said in a statement the 5G network is deployed in both sub-6 (5G0 and mmWave (5G+) spectrum bands to provide a mix of speeds, latency and coverage that can fuel new capabilities for consumers and businesses.

Sambar said the company’s are competitors still have yet to provide that same mix.

“What we offer is available to consumers and businesses today, and we’re not slowing down,” Sambar said. “As we have throughout our 144-year history, we’ll continue to innovate and invest in our network to expand our 5G coverage to more consumers and businesses across the country.”

Related: The Least-Expensive Ways to Integrate 5G, According to Tangoe

Jeff McElfresh, AT&T Communications CEO, said wireless technology is now expected to adapt alongside other innovations as the COVID-19 pandemic challenges those technologies.

“With AT&T 5G reaching nationwide, our network is beginning the journey to transform connectivity as we know it by setting a new bar of breathtaking experiences and improved efficiency,” McElfresh said. “Businesses, developers and consumers are already tapping into 5G’s potential and we’re thrilled for customers across the U.S. to experience it for themselves. It’s an exciting time in technology.”

According to The Verge, both AT&T and Verizon have been challenged by regulatory authorities over misleading claims and branding of 5G networks, with both companies at least partly taking steps to address those concerns and more accurately reflect their capabilities.

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AT&T’s 5G network, built on top of the company’s existing wireless network, is now live for network users in Birmingham, Ala., Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Providence, R.I., Rochester, N.Y., San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.

5G is widely believed to usher in a new era of communication that will see faster speeds for more connected IoT devices, paving the way for more intelligent applications of technology.

In a statement, Scott Mair, president of the company’s technology operations, said the company believes 5G technology will be “game-changing.”

“We were the first in the U.S. to offer commercial mobile 5G, and this is the next step as we build to nationwide service in the first half of 2020,” he said.

The company’s 5G network will continue to expand to other markets next year, including Boston, Bridgeport, Conn., Buffalo, N.Y., Las Vegas, Louisville, Ky., New York City.

Nationwide coverage is expected to come in the first half of 2020, AT&T said.

The company said its network is available over both 5G and what it calls 5G+, the latter of which offers extra speed and capacity over high-band 5G to serve high-traffic areas and places like sports arenas and campuses.

Read Next: America Might Not be Ready for 5G After All – Here’s Why

That service is available for businesses and collaborators looking for higher performance, AT&T said.

The regular 5G network offers broad coverage areas for both consumers and businesses over low-band 5G, which the company markets to its more mobile customers.

Customers who travel outside of 5G coverage areas with a 5G-ready device will still be able to connect to AT&T’s 5G Evolution, which is essentially an enhanced 4G LTE network.

Businesses interested in the company’s 5G network should contact their account manager.

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