Unlocking the potential of AI through connectivity

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the promise of boosting efficiency and cutting costs across industries. Yet despite widespread experimentation, many businesses are struggling to see real returns - IBM reports that only one in four AI projects achieves expected ROI. This is because too many enterprises overlook one of the most critical factors when implementing new technology, connectivity. Even the most sophisticated technology won’t function to its maximal potential without a robust and secure network. 

New research from Ericsson’s annual State of Enterprise Connectivity Report shows 88% of business leaders in Europe believe a new era of connectivity is needed if they want to unlock the benefits of AI. This is because AI technology requires networks that can process large amounts of data with low latency to operate effectively. These needs are satisfied by 5G and Wireless WAN (WWAN) networks, which act as strategic facilitators of innovation, operational robustness, and long-term company growth. 

Why outdated infrastructure limits innovation  

Fibre cable upgrades can take weeks to complete, and in crowded cities, the process can be disruptive as workers dig up roads and pavements to get to the line, leading to significant costs and delays. In addition to being impractical, outdated networks can easily become unstable under increased pressure, which directly affects productivity. Over one quarter (28%) of businesses link unreliable connectivity to a loss of revenue, whilst a further 46% say it’s driving up operating costs. 

However, many organisations still consider connectivity improvements to be an IT problem rather than a board-level priority. As AI becomes deeply integrated into every facet of business operations, that mindset must change. Poor connectivity restricts advancement at every stage, from cloud migrations to the use of AI. To overcome this, businesses must invest in safe, scalable, and future-ready networks that foster resilience if they want to fully realise the potential of AI. In these situations, 5G and WWAN networks are the answer.  

Connectivity driving business transformation  

Connectivity has become more than just an IT issue; it is now an essential component to company success. In the UK, 5G is the top investment for 69% of businesses in the UK for the upcoming year, surpassing both AI (42%) and robotics and automation (23%). According to 87% of corporate executives in Europe, 5G is essential for boosting R&D and fostering innovation throughout the company. 

AI-driven use cases are rapidly developing, but reliable, secure connectivity is essential to their success. Cellular networks are being used by 66% of UK firms to unlock new possibilities – from live-streaming high-quality videos for first responders to AI-powered security systems in retail. Likewise, the low-latency and high-bandwidth of 5G allows greater visibility and real-time insights into critical operations through its ability to support multiple IoT devices at once. For applications that are time-sensitive, the stakes are especially high. For example, in an emergency situation, even minor delays can have life changing consequences, so a robust network infrastructure is not only advantageous but essential.  

The focus is also on sustainability. 71% of companies claim that their capacity to collect emissions data is hampered by unreliable connectivity in remote areas. Laying a fibre cable to these areas is often costly and would take too long to be of use. Whereas cellular connectivity is quick to install and can be controlled remotely through cloud-based tools, enabling monitoring and IoT devices to be installed across facilities, landscapes where needed. Centralised management of the network allows resource-constrained teams to easily install and manage.   

Enhancing performance through smart networks  

The benefits are reciprocal - AI is already improving network performance, according to 85% of businesses. It can reduce the workload for IT staff while simultaneously protecting networks by analysing enormous volumes of data and identifying irregularities. 

More organisations are turning to AI to transform wireless WAN (WWAN) and private 5G from basic infrastructure into sophisticated systems that maximise performance and improve resilience There are already instances in the market of AI predicting traffic patterns, managing network resources efficiently, and being able to determine root causes of network issues with the recommended remediation. These tasks free up your IT teams to focus on more critical business objectives.   

Not only can AI help maintain current WWAN performance, but it can also help top decision makers plan for their network’s future. Using AI for data analysis, automation, and predictive insights will provide more detailed input into network operations decisions covering costs, performance and optimisation.   

Laying the groundwork for AI success  

With the correct infrastructure in place, artificial intelligence (AI) has the ability to completely transform sectors. Networks like 5G and WWAN have become essential growth enablers as modern, reliable connectivity has become a business necessity. 

The potential of combining AI with connectivity is just starting to become apparent. Businesses must approach them as strategic partnerships in order to spur innovation and uncover real economic value.