One by one, PLDT and Smart Communications introduce partners in its 5G efforts for different use cases. They started with Ericsson for its industrial IoT (Internet of Things) or Smart City in Clark, followed by Huawei for powering up the Makati Central Business District, Nokia for education, and now Cisco for transportation.

PLDT, a digital services provider, has partnered with global technology company Cisco to help transform its IP transport infrastructure into a fully automated software defined 5G-ready IP transport network.

Under this partnership, PLDT and Cisco will deploy cutting-edge technology to design and build automated, highly reliable, highly scalable, software-defined next-generation infrastructure utilizing PLDT’s existing fiber network to seamlessly deliver customized digital experiences to customers.

Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco, flew to the Philippines to sign the memorandum of agreement with Manny V. Pangilinan, chair of PLDT, at the media launch held recently.

Large-scale investment

This large-scale investment with Cisco is part of PLDT’s broader transport network transformation project, which will be implemented over the next three years.

Under this project, PLDT and Cisco will deploy technologies across PLDT’s network to make it more efficient, more resilient, more scalable, and easier to maintain and repair. The software-defined architecture will also enable PLDT to fortify customer services with highly dynamic and agile networking capabilities, as well as cybersecurity to safeguard customer data.

The automated architecture of the network will also enable PLDT to manage traffic congestion, minimize network outages, and launch new digital services faster.

Cisco’s Customer Experience team will play a leading role in the end-to-end design, build and deployment of the new infrastructure to extend the network’s reach, reliability and scalability. It will also greatly enhance experiences for PLDT’s customers and lay a solid foundation for 5G rollout.

Future-proofed network

The network transformation project is also part of PLDT’s 5G efforts, as it is also seen to support the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as Smart City initiatives.

Cisco is leading the disruption in the industry with its technology innovations in software-defined networking, 5G, subscriber experience (mobile, cable, fixed), automation, optical and optics. Together with its Customer Experience team of experts, Cisco enables service providers, media and web companies to reduce cost and complexity, helps scale and secure their networks, and grow their revenue.