87% of enterprises adopting private wireless and on-premise edge technologies reported a return on investment (ROI) within just one year.
The Nokia-GlobalData report underscores how these technologies are facilitating AI-driven applications, enabling businesses to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
The findings are based on insights gathered from 115 industrial enterprises across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, logistics, mining, and transportation in countries including Australia, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Notably, 81% of respondents found the setup costs for these technologies to be lower than alternative options, with over half saving at least 11%. Additionally, a remarkable 86% of companies reported reduced ongoing costs, with 60% achieving savings of at least 11%.
“GlobalData forecasts the global private wireless network market will nearly double to US$8 billion by 2027," said David de Lancellotti, VP of enterprise campus edge sales at Nokia.
He posited the findings reflect the growing demand as industries face mounting pressure to modernise in line with global sustainability and efficiency goals.
”Our research shows how private wireless and on-premise edge can reduce costs while accelerating transformation with measurable improvements in worker safety and environmental impact.” David de Lancellotti
The study reveals that 94% of industrial enterprises deploying on-premise edge technology alongside private wireless are unlocking AI’s potential in complex environments.
This combination enables secure, low-latency connectivity, which is crucial for supporting AI-driven use cases such as predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and digital twins. In fact, 70% of surveyed enterprises are leveraging these capabilities.
BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer, exemplifies these benefits through its deployment of Nokia’s
Reflecting on their use of a private wireless network at its Antwerp facility, Steven Werbrouck, an expert network connectivity at BASF, remarked, “Private 5G has been a game changer for BASF Antwerp. We’re unlocking automation, strengthening occupational safety, and meeting ROI targets in just two years.”
Sustainability gains are another highlight of the report, with 94% of surveyed enterprises reporting reduced carbon emissions. Notably, 41% achieved reductions of over 20%, while 89% experienced energy savings.
These improvements are driven by innovations such as predictive maintenance and connected devices, which enhance operational performance and reduce environmental impacts.
As industrial enterprises embrace digital transformation, the integration of private wireless networks and on-premise edge technology is becoming essential.
Gary Barton, research director at GlobalData, emphasised that these deployments are vital for driving innovation and creating platforms for AI-powered solutions.
