Network maturity is seen as a hindrance to business growth in APAC, NTT study finds

• In the report by NTT, 70% of CEOs globally say their level of network maturity is negatively affecting business delivery.
• 72% of top performing businesses already outsource more than half of their network infrastructure.
• The top trends driving modernization of the enterprise network are cybersecurity, cloud-native platforms, private 5G and the hybrid workplace.

There’s never a bad time to assess your company’s IT infrastructure and in a new Global Network Report by technology solutions provider NTT Ltd, business leaders in Asia Pacific (APAC) seem to be blaming their network for slow business growth. Although enterprises are embracing hybrid, distributed work environments with numerous connected devices, just two in five companies claim they are extremely satisfied with their current network capabilities.

NTT data precisely highlights that 70% of CEOs believe their network maturity level is negatively affecting their business delivery. This has resulted in a new era of network modernisation, with the majority of executives relying on it to enable business growth (>90%) and support artificial intelligence (AIOps) (91%). For context, the new report by NTT surveyed more than 1,300 enterprise networking professionals globally, uncovering a need for network modernization to enable business growth.

In a statement, NTT Ltd Network Services executive VP Amit Dhingra reckoned the results of the research shows many organizations are leaning towards key partners and managed service solutions to fulfill their requirements. “This is primarily to drive security and gain access to skills that can both optimize capability and accelerate innovation-based advances,” he added.

Dhingra also believes that industries are in the midst of a modernization of network services, “however, many of the solutions that are currently in play for a minority will become standard inside just two years. Instead, he reckons organizations should turn their attention to a network as a service model. “Businesses should consider security, skills competency, ability to scale, private 5G, and software defined networking when selecting a network service provider,” he said.

In the long term, he believes blockchain, further AI and automation, AR and VR, quantum networking, 6G and photonic computing will affect how networks are delivered. Based on the study, respondents also reported that their highest concerns, above even cost, are security, modernisation, and access to a full suite of services from their provider. In terms of managing the network, more than 90% of senior executives prefer the network as a service model, citing the flexibility to scale up and down as a major benefit. 

The report also provided seven considerations for executives to evolve and future-proof their network. Firstly, business leaders are advised to think of their organization first, then think about networks. “Break down silos and unite your business and IT teams behind your business goals to achieve your desired return on investment,” NTT said. Secondly, leaders are advised to invest in a technology partner that can move them away from legacy network assets. 

Besides considering the network-as-a-service model and embracing new tools like AIOps in the pursuit of an agile network, NTT also suggests leaders to work with a partner that can help them evolve and manage their network and improve its output. Lastly, factoring in security and understanding the costs are necessary steps too. 

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