Lately, there has been a lot of buzz regarding how India will adopt 5G and also doubts about its success have surfaced. At the heart of all this is Cisco. The networking giant has struck strategic deals with India’s top telecom brands like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea to make 5G a reality.

Although these companies are actively working towards creating the next-gen network, the Indian networking industry must develop ways to reduce latency. Also, there has to be a streamlined policy framework that can support a successful deployment. In the future, 5G will play a big role in making life easier for emerging tech like IoT, AR/VR, and access to the metaverse. 

Analytics India Magazine caught up with Daisy Chittilapilly, President Cisco India and SAARC, to fully understand what is going on behind the scenes.

AIM: What drove you throughout your career?

Daisy: I have been in the IT industry for over 25 years and with Cisco for the past 17. I currently lead Cisco’s India & SAARC theatre and am responsible for strategy, sales, operations, and investments to drive long-term growth in the region. I led Cisco’s enterprise, commercial businesses, partner organisation, business development, and strategy during my time here. This has allowed me a front-row view of how technology can transform not just IT but other critical sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure, etc. – and, more importantly, how far we need to go to long-standing bridge gaps.

This drove me to build a career in this industry – the immense and unexplored potential of technology.

AIM: Why did Cisco shift its focus to software and solutions?

Daisy: Over the past two years, digitisation has occurred not just at extraordinary speed but also in wholly unexpected ways. The demand for low-touch, digital alternatives, even in more traditional sectors like banking, education, healthcare, governance, etc., is increasing exponentially, which has triggered a rapid shift towards an everything-as-a-service consumption model, where everything is cloud-managed or cloud-delivered.

At Cisco, we started making changes to our business model, transitioning most of our portfolio to be delivered as a service and accelerating innovation across areas like cloud-delivered cybersecurity, collaboration, analytics, etc. As a result, in FY21, 30% of our total revenues came from software, and subscriptions accounted for 79% of our software revenues.

AIM: How is Webex being deployed in NASA’s Artemis program? Why did NASA opt for Webex?

Daisy: Cisco Webex has joined the Artemis mission as part of Callisto, a technology-demonstration payload built in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and flying onboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft for this mission. Callisto uses a purpose-built version of Webex, which is used to test collaborative technologies for future Artemis missions in deep space exploration. In addition, the Webex Desk Pro device housed at the Mission Control Centre at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston will be used to test video interactions with technology onboard the spacecraft and dynamic content-sharing capabilities.

Space explorers could stay connected via HD video to Mission Control, basecamp, and even their loved ones at home using Webex in the coming years. It also allows users to co-create and collaborate on Webex devices.

AIM: Will 5G be successful in India?

Daisy: Today, 5G is perhaps the most transformative technology for India. We have already seen how the internet can be the greatest equaliser, bringing information and opportunity to under-represented communities. 5G will take this several steps further, facilitating ground-breaking use cases across healthcare, education, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, etc., and narrowing the gaps that can hinder productivity and growth. It can also support complex applications of other emerging technologies like IoT, AR/VR, AI, big data analytics, and more.

However, the success of 5G is contingent upon building a robust physical and digital infrastructure that can enable lower latency and faster speeds. This requires significant investments and innovation, coupled with a conducive policy framework. Telecom service providers, technology companies, and government bodies must work together to ensure a seamless roll-out and deliver the benefits of 5G to everyone. 

AIM: How is Cisco collaborating with Jio and Airtel for a 5G-ready network system? 

Daisy: At Cisco, we are focused on building the internet of the future through SiliconONE, optics, and software and helping customers migrate to 5G and Wi-Fi 6 through mobility, which includes mobile packet core, IoT control centre, etc. Cisco has over 125 active engagements with global customers on 5G. In addition, almost 50 service providers are testing and deploying our Cisco 5G Now solutions.

In India, we work with all the leading telecom service providers to help them future-proof their operations and build next-gen networks. For example, with Bharti Airtel, we are building India’s largest 5G-ready, 100G IP optical integrated, fully automated network, enabling Airtel to extend its services to SMBs and enterprises in urban centres and rural communities. We are also working with Vodafone Idea to augment their existing 4G network and, in the future, 5G use cases. In addition, Vodafone is deploying Cisco’s ultra-packet core to its network architecture with new software applications, including voice-over-Wi-Fi.

Lastly, we are working with Reliance Jio to build a first-of-its-kind, 5G-ready network. It is built on Cisco’s Open Network Architecture and Cloud Scale Networking technologies, spanning Data Centre, Wi-Fi, Security, and Contact Centre solutions.

AIM: Can you talk about India concerning Industry 4.0?

Daisy: The industrial might for any country is its proverbial ace in the hole. India is no exception. However, Industry 4.0 is the only way to turn the nation’s industries into our biggest competitive advantage. Technologies like AI/ML, RPA, cloud computing, smart sensors, and interconnected machines can make companies smarter, facilitating data-driven decision-making and optimising resource management.

However, to unlock the true potential of Industry 4.0, some challenges must be addressed first, like the lack of infrastructure, cybersecurity, and skilled talent that can harness emerging technologies. 

The good news is that capital expenditure has received a significant push under Budget 2022, accelerating digitised industrial growth. This is coupled with conducive policy frameworks, incentive initiatives, and training programs to catalyse deployment. However, given the scale and speed at which this revolution must occur, an ecosystem approach is crucial for turning India into an industrial powerhouse. 

AIM: Do you see upcoming trends that can disrupt the industry?

Daisy: The IT industry has always had pride of place in the economy. But, it has emerged as the primary driver of India’s competitiveness and innovation, as businesses embrace digitisation as the key to survival and success. Gartner estimates Indian companies will spend over $105 billion in 2022 on IT, 5.5% more than in 2021. In this scenario, we see three trends that will disrupt the industry. 

Firstly, the soaring demand for everything-as-a-service will prompt technologies and services – including data centre, analytics, collaboration, security, etc. – to be delivered through the cloud. As a result, by 2025, Gartner expects the cloud market to be twice the size of the non-cloud market. This will enable new platforms and revenue streams, offering more choice and flexibility to consumers and businesses.

Next, India’s talent will make or break our digitisation efforts, including students, innovators, and entrepreneurs. We need the right talent to turn emerging technologies into a force of change. We see this happening already. Several training programs, deep-tech courses, etc., have been launched to scale skilling efforts. Our startup ecosystem is also thriving – the Economic Survey 2021-22 recently reported that of 83 unicorns, 44 were born in the past year alone. That is three to four unicorns per month. According to PwC, over 50 unicorns will join the club over 12 months. Therefore, talent must remain a top priority to transform India into a global innovation hub and meet the rising demand for a tech-proficient workforce.

Lastly and most importantly, with increasing digitisation comes an unprecedented opportunity to make the nation far more inclusive, sustainable, and united than ever before. Technology can bridge the biggest gaps in access to critical services like healthcare, education, banking, etc., and bring everyone greater digital access and opportunities.