Cisco Teams Up with Bell to Bolster Canada's Sovereign AI Offering

Cisco and Bell have partnered to bolster Canada's sovereign AI offering by integrating Cisco's Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio with Bell's AI Fabric. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paves the way for a range of modular, configurable sovereign AI solutions that combine elements from their respective portfolios.

Cisco's Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio was introduced last year and features an air-gap licence, allowing customers to have greater control and autonomy over their data. The portfolio can also be configured for cloud, hybrid, or on-premises environments and adheres to local cybersecurity regulations.

The partnership is seen as a win for both companies, with Cisco able to address regulated industries in Canada while Bell can assure enterprise clients that adopting a sovereign tech stance doesn't compromise capabilities. 'We will work to make it easier to deploy and scale sovereign AI infrastructure for customers,' said John Watson, group president of Bell's business markets.

The deal is expected to bring together Canadian data centre capacity, connectivity, and operations with Cisco's technology to support sovereign AI infrastructure that is configurable, secure, and easier to deploy. 'This collaboration will make it easier to build, secure, and manage digital environments that support critical operations,' said Raj Juneja, president of Cisco Canada.