Are Connectivity Issues Stalling the Future of AI and 5G?
Is Your Business Network Ready For AI and 5G? Research Says Maybe Not
AI is shaping up to be a revolutionary force in the modern business world in terms of speed, automation and responsiveness. With all the noise around it, there’s no denying that it’s here to stay. Yet, a new Ericsson report has uncovered that many UK and European businesses are struggling to harness this technology in the face of connectivity challenges and outdated infrastructure.
Businesses know what they need... but the infrastructure isn't ready
- 88% of firms surveyed say boosting connectivity is essential for AI and IoT use. Getting this right has benefits on both sides. 5G offers the fast network that AI requires, while AI can streamline network management.
- However, 67% describe current telecoms services as “too complex,” blocking 5G adoption, and 38% cite hardware upgrade issues.
This means that even businesses eager to innovate can’t move forward because the foundational network doesn’t support them.
UK is more optimistic, but Europe is lagging
69% of UK companies view 5G investment in the next year as vital to staying competitive.
That optimism isn’t shared everywhere though. Germany and France report connectivity challenges and lack of infrastructure that increase costs and slow deployments.
Poor connectivity directly impacts the bottom line
While these gaps are a technical headache, perhaps more worrying are the financial implications.
- 46% report higher operational costs.
- 31% see more wasted time and resources.
- 28% admit revenue losses linked to network issues.
What this means for SMEs
If your business relies on cloud tools, real-time analytics, or remote working apps, these connectivity issues could hold you back.
- No matter how smart the AI, it needs fast, reliable network arms to run efficiently.
- Poor connectivity means higher costs, inefficiencies, unhappy teams, and even frustrated clients.
How ontel can help
At ontel, we build fully managed connectivity solutions that fill these critical gaps.
Problem
- Slow or unstable broadband
- Complex upgrade process
- Delayed software deployment
Solution
- Business grade fibre with proactive monitoring
- Single provider simplicity. One bill, local support
- Low-latency, scalable connections tailored to you
Let's make sure your network is ready for the future
Talk to our friendly team about building a resilient network that supports your business’ growth and enables you to utilise new technologies to full effect.
