A brand new report from Ericsson exhibits that as enterprises embrace 5G and AI to future-proof operations, spectrum and complexity stay key hurdles
Ericsson’s 2025 State of Enterprise Connectivity report reveals that as enterprises navigate financial uncertainty, labor shortages, and speedy tech adoption, dependable connectivity is foundational to success. Particularly, the report gives a deep dive into how U.S. companies are leaning on 5G, AI, and IoT to future-proof operations, enhance effectivity, and keep aggressive.
“The info not solely highlights the advantages of AI to the fashionable enterprise surroundings, it additionally reveals the mutually helpful relationship between 5G and AI,” said Ericsson. “As 5G supplies the fixed high-speed connectivity mandatory for AI-based knowledge sharing, AI expertise has the flexibility to mechanically optimize 5G wi-fi large space networks (5G WWAN) and 5G personal mobile networks (PCNs).”
Primarily based on a nationwide survey of tech decision-makers, the findings reveal each the momentum behind next-gen networks and the roadblocks that might sluggish progress. Listed here are just a few key takeaways:
1. 5G Is crucial to enterprise innovation and AI adoption
- 93% of enterprises see 5G as essential to U.S. tech management.
- 88% say 5G is “essential to optimizing using AI within the office.”
Respondents view AI and 5G as mutually reinforcing — 5G allows AI workloads, whereas AI enhances 5G efficiency and safety. “These findings counsel a mutually helpful relationship between 5G and AI as each applied sciences change into extra widespread. 5G allows the high-speed knowledge transfers AI programs depend on, whereas AI enhances 5G community efficiency and safety,” the report said.AI can be addressing workforce challenges: 89% of corporations say AI helps upskill community administration workers. “This workforce enablement enhances the position of 5G, which facilitates the info motion required for AI instruments to function effectively,” stated the seller. “Collectively, they type a basis for enterprises to scale innovation whereas optimizing each human and technological assets.”
2. Spectrum availability is a nationwide competitiveness problem
- 80% of enterprise leaders say delayed spectrum auctions are hindering 5G deployment and innovation.
Attributable to these considerations, Ericsson discovered robust help for restoring the FCC’s authority to public sale spectrum with a purpose to keep international competitiveness. “Previous to 2023, the FCC was capable of maintain auctions for licensed spectrum, eradicating allocation choices from the federal government and as an alternative promoting the spectrum to the best bidder,” defined Ericsson, including that this created a lane for 5G operators to purchase licensed spectrum.
That authority lapsed in March 2023, resulting in frustration within the trade. “…the federal government isn’t sufficiently disseminating spectrum for 5G to satisfy the present allocation wants of right now’s companies,” the report continued. “This might enable 5G operators to seize the spectrum and make it accessible to these most ready to push innovation all through the nation. The choice, per legislators, is a nation that might lag behind the remainder of the world in 5G deployments.”
3. Non-public 5G and managed WWAN are key to overcoming deployment boundaries
- Prime hurdles embody: deployment prices (52%); {hardware} improve complexity (46%); and current infrastructure points (41%).
Managed 5G WWAN and personal networks are seen as scalable, safe and cost-effective alternate options — significantly in logistics, healthcare and manufacturing. To simplify adoption, distributors are working to duplicate the benefit of Wi-Fi experiences.
From the report: “As we speak, warehouses, hospitals and manufacturing services are more and more adopting personal 5G to offer devoted bandwidth for his or her most important gadgets. These options supply built-in safety and constant uptime, permitting community directors to handle operations with larger confidence and fewer complexity.”
4. Unreliable connectivity carries main enterprise dangers
- 95% of executives say unreliable networks result in elevated prices or inefficiencies.
- 30% cite reputational injury.
- 26% level to income loss.
In keeping with Ericsson, WWAN and personal 5G options can mitigate these dangers by boosting uptime and community resilience. “Non-public 5G permits large-scale enterprises to leverage devoted bandwidth for his or her most important enterprise features. Furthermore, it permits companies to maximise their investments in Wi-Fi and WWAN options, creating a strong connectivity ecosystem that may meet all of an enterprise’s connectivity wants,” said the seller.
Wanting forward: A future constructed on 5G and AI
As AI turns into extra superior, it can demand extra from enterprise connectivity. Ericsson expects each AI and 5G to evolve in tandem. “As AI expertise turns into extra modern, 5G expertise is ready to do the identical,” stated the corporate. “Within the meantime, companies nonetheless have the chance to implement the connectivity options that can put together them for what’s subsequent.”
