The rollout of 5G is more than just an upgrade in speed—it’s a fundamental shift in how businesses operate and compete. In countries like India, where digital transformation is accelerating across sectors, the promise of 5G goes beyond consumer connectivity to enable powerful industrial applications: smart factories, automated logistics, real-time monitoring, and seamless IoT ecosystems. But to capture this potential, enterprises need more than just a public network; they require dedicated, high-performance, and secure infrastructure. Cisco, a long-standing leader in enterprise networking, sees this moment as a pivotal opportunity. According to Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India & SAARC, private 5G—especially through Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPN)—will be a game-changer for industries from manufacturing and utilities to healthcare and retail. In this article, we explore how Cisco is positioning itself at the heart of India’s 5G enterprise evolution and what it means for organizations investing in next-generation connectivity.

Unlike previous generations of mobile technology, 5G offers a combination of high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and enhanced reliability—making it ideal for business-critical applications. For enterprises, this means being able to support real-time automation, machine-to-machine communication, and massive IoT deployments without compromising performance or security. A key enabler is the concept of Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPN), which are essentially dedicated 5G networks designed for specific organizational use. In India, enterprises can either lease spectrum from service providers or obtain it directly from the Department of Telecommunications, offering flexibility in how they deploy and manage their private network infrastructure.
Cisco believes that CNPN will unlock new verticals such as advanced manufacturing, intelligent transportation systems, and energy utilities. The company has already initiated pilots with major Indian telecom players including Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL, helping them transition to 5G while exploring real-world use cases across different industries. According to Chittilapilly, the full commercial rollout of 5G in India may take 18–24 months, and the focus right now is on establishing clear monetization models and business cases.
Beyond working with telecom providers, Cisco is also engaging in global partnerships to accelerate adoption. Its recent collaboration with Japan’s NTT aims to bring private 5G solutions to sectors like automotive, healthcare, logistics, and retail. These partnerships are designed to test various scenarios—from autonomous guided vehicles in warehouses to remote patient monitoring in hospitals—helping define what’s possible with dedicated 5G.
For businesses preparing for this shift, having the right underlying network infrastructure is essential. Cisco offers a comprehensive portfolio of routers, switches, and wireless access points that form the backbone of modern enterprise networks—whether connected to 5G or not. Products like the Catalyst 2960-X, 3650, and 3850 switches provide the scalability, security, and performance needed to support high-density traffic and new IoT device integrations. Similarly, routers from the ISR 4000 Series deliver reliable, secure connectivity for distributed sites, while Aironet access points enable high-speed wireless coverage using the latest Wi-Fi standards.
At telecomate.com, we help businesses navigate these technology transitions by providing not only certified Cisco hardware but also expert guidance tailored to evolving network demands. Whether you are upgrading your existing setup or building a new private network, having trusted infrastructure in place is critical to leveraging the full potential of 5G.
As India continues its journey toward widescale 5 adoption, enterprises have a unique opportunity to build more agile, efficient, and intelligent operations. Cisco’s focused approach on private 5G and CNPN underscores its commitment to helping businesses transform through secure, high-performance networking. If you’re considering upgrading your network infrastructure in preparation for 5G, explore our range of Cisco routers, switches, and wireless solutions at telecomate.com. Let us help you future-proof your business with the right technology foundation.
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