Being able to deliver 5G backhaul, Colt will enable global MSPs to support new 5G services at scale, data rates and low latencies, offering more flexible and cost-effective solutions. As an added differentiator, Colt will deploy Cisco’s segment routing and Ethernet VPN (eVPN) based architecture.
“We are focused on providing best-in-class, high bandwidth, on-demand connectivity solutions to meet our customers’ ever-growing business needs and the arrival of 5G presents exciting opportunities,” said Peter Coppens, vice president, product portfolio at Colt. “We have worked closely with Cisco to design a network architecture that is simple to operate, highly available, and capable of delivering the innovative network services that are required for 5G.”
Combing Cisco’s leading-edge, programmable-routing architecture for advanced 5G service enablement with the open and programmable nature of the Colt IQ Network, means that it can be extended to customers directly using standards-based APIs. This capability is being touted as a breakthrough in automation for next-gen5G backhaul requirements, enabling self-provisioned bandwidth scaling and guaranteed SLA services or network slices based on latency and bandwidth demands.
“With every new mobile technology comes complexity, and 5G is no different. We are proud to support Colt as a strategic partner in its mission to simplify 5G deployments,” said Sumeet Arora, SVP and GM service provider routing at Cisco. “Cisco’s highly programmable segment routing architecture will enable Colt to lower the barriers of entry for MSPs, reducing costs and significantly speeding up the delivery of 5G services.”
Additionally, this partnership with Cisco will enable Colt to support next-gen deployment architectures using Cloud Radio Access Network (CloudRAN), which lowers operational costs through more efficient use of spectrum and radio resources and cost-optimised antennas that need fewer site visits.
