CV_Spring_2021

S purred by the realities of the pandemic, global enterprises are turning even more to next-generation wireless technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6 to keep employees, machines and customers connected around the world. By offering significant performance improvements – such as faster speeds, increased coverage, lower latency, greater device density, and precise location sensing – these new wireless technologies are enabling ground- breaking solutions, such as autono- mous vehicles, precision automation and robotics, telemedicine and telesurgery, immersive retail and enter- tainment experiences, and augmented- reality workplace collaborations. To obtain a global perspective on the adoption of advanced wireless solutions, and assess attitudes during the pandemic crisis, Deloitte surveyed networking executives during the fourth quarter of 2020 from countries including Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom, representing organizations adopting or planning to adopt 5G and/or Wi-Fi 6. The survey builds on a U.S. study conducted during the first quarter of 2020 of networking executives whose organizations are adopting or planning to adopt 5G and/or Wi-Fi 6. According to the Deloitte survey, global networking executives report that the COVID-19 crisis has spurred their organizations to accelerate invest- ment in wireless networking to address current and future disruptions, as well as create new solutions and offerings. Half of respondents expect to boost their wireless networking investment, while less than a quarter report pullback. More specifically, 67 percent of those surveyed are either running pilots or deploying Wi-Fi 6 solutions, while 58 percent are doing the same with 5G solutions (and often in parallel). A full 81 percent of respondents, meanwhile, believe the technologies will be very/criti- cally important within three years. “A rising sense of urgency, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, is now accelerating the shift to 5G and Wi-Fi 6 far faster across a variety of industries, with executives now seeing advanced wireless networks as increasingly essential to their business plans,” said Kevin Westcott, Deloitte global telecommunications, media & enter- tainment leader. “Those enterprises Effects of Advanced Wireless within Three Years Source: Deloitte Advanced wireless networking will transform our company say it will transform their organization say it will transform their industry Now Less than 1 year In 1-3 years In 3-5 years Beyond 5 years May never substantially transform Advanced wireless networking will transform our industry 6% 22% 4% 21% 53% 78% 15% 2% 4% 41% 69% 23% 4% 3% MOBILE & WIRELESS By Bruce Christian PANDEMIC PUSHES ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT INADVANCEDWIRELESS 26 CHANNEL V ISION | May 2021