U.S. businesses cite 5G as “critical” for the use of AI

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced the findings from its annual U.S. State of Enterprise Connectivity Report, a survey by Censuswide of 1,000 technology decision makers meant to gauge their views of their organization’s current and future connectivity status. As AI adoption grows, leaders are recognizing how 5G’s low latency, high bandwidth, scalability, and security are critical to enabling AI performance. Notably, according to data from the survey:

• 88 percent of U.S. businesses consider 5G “critical to optimizing the use of AI in the workplace”
• 90 percent of businesses surveyed said AI improves workplace security by automatically detecting network issues
• 89 percent of technology decision makers surveyed said AI is helping upskill network management staff by automating analysis and reducing manual tasks.

The data not only highlights the benefits of AI to the modern business environment, it also reveals the mutually beneficial relationship between 5G and AI. As 5G provides the constant high-speed connectivity necessary for AI-based data sharing, AI technology has the ability to automatically optimize 5G wireless wide area networks (5G WWAN) and 5G private cellular networks (PCNs).

The survey also covered the enterprise’s reliance on Internet of Things (IOT) technology, which is both growing in ubiquity and driving the need for reliable connectivity. More than half (58 percent) of businesses said they were already using IoT devices across the business, and another 34 percent indicated they were planning to invest in IoT technology. Technology decision makers said in the next 12 months, they plan to implement IoT devices such as security systems (54 percent) and video surveillance (41 percent).

While the enterprise is acknowledging the benefits of 5G in both AI and IoT, they still face barriers to adopting and deploying 5G-based networks. Among the largest barriers to adoption of those surveyed were the cost of deployment/maintenance of the network (52 percent) and the complexities associated with upgrading their hardware (46 percent). These barriers could prevent some enterprises from unlocking the full potential of the AI and IoT technologies in which they’ve made significant investments. In fact, 95 percent of businesses revealed that unreliable business connectivity leads to higher operational costs or operational inefficiencies.

“Today’s enterprises are trying to navigate challenges such as a dynamic economic landscape, evolving cyber threats, and growing customer expectations,” said Camille Campbell, director of product marketing at Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions. “As the 2025 State of Enterprise Connectivity report outlines, 5G will play a key role in leveraging the technologies — such as AI and IoT — that will help businesses mitigate these challenges. Comprehensive 5G WWAN and private 5G solutions are purpose-built to help AI and IoT technologies that require fast, scalable, and secure data transfers. As the report suggests, 5G will play a critical role as enterprises leverage the technology of the future.”

For more information, read the full State of Enterprise Connectivity report.