Expanded AT&T-Cradlepoint 5G Partnership Tackles SD-WAN, Branch Use Cases

AT&T and Cradlepoint are working together to expand enterprise 5G use cases.

The companies expanded their partnership to create a 5G solution portfolio, which builds opportunities for branch and mobile users.

The portfolio combines AT&T’s broadband network, data plans and management with Cradlepoint’s 5G wideband adapters and routers, and wireless WAN management platform. Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Manager lets customers perform life cycle management of the wireless WAN, but the expanded partnership provides the option of AT&T managing the network. As a result, customers can tailor their devices, speeds and management structures without overage charges.

AT&T’s Rasesh Patel

“AT&T Wireless Broadband plays an essential role in bringing 5G to businesses nationwide,” said Rasesh Patel, chief product and platform officer, AT&T Business. “Businesses continue to transform and are crucial in building an ecosystem that brings the benefits of 5G to life. So, we’re delivering the tools for businesses to innovate fearlessly and build the foundation for a 5G world.”

Customers can purchase from the portfolio starting in May.

New Opportunities

The companies pointed to new use cases their portfolio can help open. For example, Cradlepoint offers its R1900 5G mobile router, which caters to in-vehicle networks. In addition, the companies say Cradlepoint’s W-Series wideband adapters can mesh well with AT&T SD-WAN to turn 5G into a primary connectivity option.

Cradlepoint’s Ian Pennell

“5G is the catalyst to ushering in a fast and agile Wireless WAN that will help transform how enterprise and government organizations generate revenue, streamline operations and serve customers,” Cradlepoint chief product officer Ian Pennell said. “What sets Cradlepoint apart is our cloud-delivered and IT-centric NetCloud service that integrates with existing infrastructures, like VPN and SD-WAN, and provides network admins with the visibility, security, control and management they need to build and maintain a wireless WAN.”

IDC’s Rohit Mehra

Rohit Mehra leads IDC’s network infrastructure practice. Mehra said the expanded partnership addresses more customer use cases.

“The end-to-end 5G solution set, consisting of – network, data plans, edge devices, security and management – are key considerations among enterprise IT stakeholders. AT&T and Cradlepoint are well-equipped to leverage the upcoming 5G-led transformation of the WAN and bring it into the mainstream enterprise IT environments across a wide array of applications — from primary or secondary branch backhaul and connectivity to mobile WAN deployments across the public sector and other industrial applications,” Mehra said.

Background

AT&T in March announced that it would offer fixed 5G wireless routers from Cradlepoint and Sierra Wireless. Furthermore, AT&T’s 5G coverage map surpassed 200 million people last summer.

Last fall, Ericsson announced its acquisition of Cradlepoint. As a result, the $1.1 billion purchase made Cradlepoint a fully owned Ericsson subsidiary.

Cradlepoint’s headquarters are in Boise, Idaho, and AT&T calls Dallas home.