Wipro launches private 5G as-a-service to better serve data-hungry enterprises

Wipro is responding to emerging enterprise need with its managed private 5G-as-a-service solution—developed in partnership with Cisco. The solution is built on Cisco’s mobile core technology and internet of things (IoT) portfolio spanning IoT sensors and gateways, device management software, and monitoring tools and dashboards. To facilitate testing and adoption, Wipro has created a private 5G lab under this partnership to explore various industry use cases.

Private 5G networks offer low latency, secure wireless connectivity for enterprises taking advantage of data generated by everything from IoT devices and sensors to digital twins in the metaverse. But they come with hefty capital costs and the need to acquire 5G talent. Private 5G-as-a-service offers an option for the enterprise to adopt 5G as an operating expense instead—spreading the cost and allocating it against business outcomes.

Many system integrators have jumped on the private 5G “network-as-a-service” bandwagon and are offering systems with augmented network capabilities, such as enhanced security and network slicing to maximize the use of network resources and service flexibility.

Private 5G networks make sense where advantages such as low latency, high bandwidth, and seamless, secure wireless connectivity are important. And when integrated with the existing telecom infrastructure, enterprises can improve operational efficiency by prioritizing critical applications, devices, or services over less essential ones and supporting their digital transformation initiatives, such as the IoT and automation, owing to higher data transfer rates and low latency.

Embracing 5G can be a game-changer for enterprises seeking to seize the opportunities of the digital age

5G networks provide significantly faster speeds compared to previous generations, making real-time transmission and processing of large amounts of data possible. It offers near-zero latency enabling instant communication and responsiveness. With 5G, connectivity and network reliability are also improved, ensuring seamless communication across devices. As an added advantage, businesses can apply network slicing for efficient resource allocation and optimized performance.

5G technology also offers enterprises the opportunity to unlock new service possibilities. For example, in healthcare, 5G can support remote surgeries, and real-time patient monitoring, enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. In manufacturing, 5G enables advanced robotics, precision control, and augmented reality applications for improved productivity. Augmenting network architectures to include 5G may be crucial in ensuring predictive maintenance of equipment in an industrial setting where being wired isn’t possible. HFS has previously discussed many opportunities 5G presents in formulating supply chain solutions.

Wipro’s managed private 5G-as-a-service solution minimizes investment and commercial risks for enterprises

Wipro’s solution addresses interoperability issues by integrating private 5G with an enterprise’s network infrastructure. This integration extends connectivity, performance, mobility, and IoT integration and effectively provides the network infrastructure for future scalability. 5G solves connectivity challenges in locations under-served by Wi-Fi, too.

With Wipro’s as-a-service model, enterprises can access the advantages of private 5G without the up-front capital cost required to build a network of their own. Neither do they have to provide the technical or operational know-how in-house. Supported through Wipro’s 5G Def-i platform, the managed private 5G-as-a-service solution offers an end-to-end solution.

The Bottom Line: Private 5G-as-a-service will suit enterprises that prefer to outsource both the capital risk and the need to recruit 5G experts.

By further developing its private 5G-as-a-service capabilities in terms of customized services and ensuring reliability, Wipro can meet the needs of enterprises looking for capital cost savings, flexibility, rapid deployment, access to advanced features, and scalability.

Enterprise leaders should demand a pipeline of relevant, customized services and, as with any as-a-service, clarity around pricing as demand scales.