Cisco Introduces Intelligent, Secure and Assured Wi-Fi 7 to Transform Employee and Customer Experiences

Rhea-AI Summary

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has unveiled new Wi-Fi 7 access points featuring AI-native capabilities, enhanced security, and smart workspace solutions. The new offering includes self-configuring access points with global use detection and location awareness, integrated with the Cisco Spaces platform for smart workplace transformation. A unified subscription licensing model provides flexible management across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid networks. The system features advanced threat detection, AI-native device profiling, and ThousandEyes integration for performance optimization. The Wi-Fi 7 access points will be available to order in November 2024 with shipping scheduled for December 2024.

Positive

• Introduction of advanced Wi-Fi 7 technology with AI capabilities
• Unified subscription model simplifying customer operations
• Integration with Cisco Spaces platform included in subscription
• Enhanced security features with AI-native threat detection

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

The introduction of Wi-Fi 7 access points represents a significant technological advancement for Cisco's enterprise networking portfolio. The key differentiator is the AI-native architecture that enables self-configuration and automatic location detection, potentially reducing deployment costs and complexity for enterprise customers.

The unified subscription model combining hardware and software licenses is strategically important, as it could drive recurring revenue growth while simplifying procurement for customers. Integration with Cisco Spaces and ThousandEyes adds value through smart workplace capabilities and network assurance features that competitors may struggle to match.

The December 2024 availability timing positions Cisco among the early enterprise Wi-Fi 7 providers, though market adoption will likely be gradual as organizations evaluate upgrade cycles. The global use certification and flexible cloud/on-premises management options should appeal to multinational enterprises and help defend Cisco's dominant market share in enterprise wireless.

A leap forward in wireless: AI-native, self-configuring and built for resilient, secure connections

News Summary:

• Cisco introduces Wi-Fi 7 access points, with the intelligence, security and assurance of Cisco's advanced networking portfolio.
• New AI-native wireless is location-aware, instantly adapts to any environment and continuously optimizes—with the power of Cisco Spaces built in to create smart workplaces.
• Unified subscription and hardware give Cisco customers ultimate flexibility by offering a seamless wireless management experience across cloud, on-premises and hybrid networks.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) introduces new intelligent, secure and assured wireless innovations, with smart Wi-Fi 7 access points and unified subscription licensing that can enable smart spaces out-of-the-box. These innovations empower customers to solve for their connectivity, security and assurance challenges, while also providing a flexible foundation to future-proof their workplaces.

Wireless technologies have reshaped the world, from how and where work gets done, to how people shop and learn. Today, wireless innovations continue to blur the lines between physical and digital spaces, enabling organizations to transform their workspaces and create new digital experiences for an AI-driven era. While Wi-Fi 7 unlocks essential performance upgrades, a retailer reimagining the shopping experience, a manufacturer optimizing operations with precision asset tracking, or a hospital enhancing patient care all need more than just connectivity. They need an intelligent, secure and assured platform.

"Just about everything we do blends human behavior with sensors, cameras, or screens—physical experiences in an increasingly digital world. And Wi-Fi is at the center of it all," said Jeetu Patel, Cisco Chief Product Officer. "With Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points and Cisco Spaces, we are delivering the connectivity, assurance, and data that IT, real estate, and facilities teams need to reimagine employee and customer experiences everywhere."

SIMPLIFIED LICENSING, FLEXIBLE DEPLOYMENTS
The new Cisco Wireless Wi-Fi 7 access points bring the latest wireless standard to customers everywhere. Cisco's new smart access points are manageable on-premises or through the cloud, with the ability to switch seamlessly between both. This flexibility is enabled through Cisco's unified networking subscription – a single license that covers Cisco's entire Wi-Fi 7 solution. This new Cisco Networking Subscription simplifies how customers do business with Cisco and allows organizations to confidently invest in wireless networks that can grow and evolve with their business.  

THE CISCO ADVANTAGE
The role of wireless is growing, as organizations rely on technology to enable their workforce and create differentiated experiences for their end customers. Cisco's Wi-Fi 7-powered innovations provide customers a smart, scalable and experience-driven approach. Cisco's offering is:

• Intelligent: Cisco's new Wi-Fi 7 access points deliver one of the industry's most intelligent wireless offerings, featuring AI-native performance optimizations and out-of-the-box self-configuration. The access points are global use and can auto-detect location as soon as they are plugged in. With access to the Cisco Spaces platform now included in the subscription license, customers get an operating system to turn their workspaces into smart spaces.
• Secure: Powered by some of the industry's most advanced threat detection capabilities, Cisco secures every connection with AI-native device profiling, threat prevention, and advanced wireless security and data encryption.  
• Assured: With Cisco ThousandEyes, customers can assure every connected experience using AI and automation to identify and remediate performance bottlenecks across wireless, owned and unowned networks – unlocking the ability to deliver exceptional digital experiences to every user, wherever they are.

ECOSYSTEM EMBRACES CISCO'S PLATFORM APPROACH
Today's innovations underscore Cisco's journey to deliver on its Networking Cloud platform approach. With AI-native intelligence embedded throughout, Cisco demonstrates its commitment to operational simplicity and security for customers and partners.

"Fira de Barcelona hosts 270 events every year in Barcelona, including the flagship wireless connectivity technology event Mobile World Congress, and also conferences around the world," said Carlos Sanchez Baena, Telco Manager at Fira de Barcelona. "Executives from around the world convene to shape the future of wireless technology. So, it's critical we provide seamless connectivity across 500,000 square meters of our exhibition space. Only the most reliable, predictable, and secure wireless experiences will do. As high-bandwidth technology proliferates, the ability to support AR/VR and live-streaming is even more critical. That's why we're so happy Wi-Fi 7 from Cisco is here. They are the only provider we collaborate with for the most reliable, large scale and secure connectivity."

"Cisco's new global use Wi-Fi 7 AP's and Unified Licensing approach are an exciting and welcome change that simplifies their solution and makes it easier for clients to consume," said Christine Fierro, Sr. Director, Edge & Core Solutions. "We are excited to aid our clients in better understanding these new offerings and how they can streamline operations and drive efficiency within their network."

"Wi-Fi is a ubiquitous technology that is critical enabler of everyday and mission-critical communications for organizations across the world. In recent years, the industry has seen increased adoption of networking platforms to take advantage of simplified operations, powered by AI," said Brandon Butler, IDC Senior Research Manager covering Enterprise Networks. "Cisco's wireless offering and unified licensing approach demonstrate the value of a platform approach for customers, granting them access to more flexibility, continued optimization and innovation."

Availability
The Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points are available to order in November 2024 and will ship in December 2024.

Additional Resources:

• Executive Blog: Zero Friction Wireless for Smarter Workplaces, Lawrence Huang, SVP/GM, Cisco Networking - Meraki & Wireless
• Product Blog: Assuring Digital Experiences for Wi-Fi 7 and Beyond, Mike Hicks, Principal Solutions Analyst, Cisco ThousandEyes
• TechBeat Podcast: Talking Wireless Convergence, Open Roaming, 5G, and the future of Wi-Fi 7 with Matt MacPherson
• For more information on Cisco Live Melbourne, please visit The Newsroom

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals.

Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word 'partner' does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

Forward-Looking Statements: This release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among others, statements regarding Cisco's future strategic investment plans to expand and develop secure and reliable AI solutions. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including, among other things, the ability of Cisco to achieve expected benefits of its investments, business and economic conditions and growth trends in its customer markets and various geographic regions, increased competition, global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment and other risk factors set forth in Cisco's most recent reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, respectively. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based on limited information currently available to Cisco, which is subject to change, and Cisco will not necessarily update the information.

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SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

FAQ

When will Cisco (CSCO) Wi-Fi 7 access points be available?

Cisco's Wi-Fi 7 access points will be available to order in November 2024 and will ship in December 2024.

What are the key features of Cisco's (CSCO) new Wi-Fi 7 access points?

The key features include AI-native performance optimization, self-configuration capabilities, global use detection, built-in security with threat detection, and integration with Cisco Spaces platform for smart workplace solutions.

How does Cisco (CSCO) handle licensing for the new Wi-Fi 7 solution?

Cisco offers a unified networking subscription model that provides a single license covering the entire Wi-Fi 7 solution, allowing management across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid networks.