Cisco has launched a $1bn programme for Smart Cities and unveiled new features and customers for the Cisco Kinetic for Cities IoT data platform.
Cisco's City Infrastructure Financing Acceleration Programme is aimed to make it easier, faster and more affordable for cities around the world to fund and adopt technologies that will transform their communities.
The funding will be provided through Cisco Capital in partnership with private equity firm Digital Alpha Advisors and pension fund investors APG Asset Management (APG) and Whitehelm Capital.
"Funding is a major stumbling block for municipalities beginning their smart city transformation," said Anil Menon, Global President of Cisco's Smart+Connected Communities.
"With our partners, Cisco will bring the capital and expertise it takes to make smart city projects a reality."
Cisco also announced that it has added functionality to its renamed connected digital platform, Cisco Kinetic for Cities, which integrated with the Cisco Kinetic IoT data platform.
The new features provide enhanced support for public safety.
Real-time notification of emergency information now draws on additional IoT data sources and Cisco Spark Collaboration, enabling faster emergency response.