90% of U.S. Companies Recognize 5G as Key to AI Use, but Cost is Biggest Barrier to Adoption--Ericsson

Ericsson of Sweden released its annual State of Enterprise Connectivity Report (US edition) on June 17, 2025. The report highlights the role of 5G as key to AI and IoT adoption, as well as the challenges faced by companies adopting the technology.

Ericsson surveyed 1,000 decision makers at U.S. companies in the technology sector. Of these, 88% said that "5G is extremely important in optimizing the use of AI in the workplace. In addition, 90% said that "AI improves security in the workplace by automatically detecting network problems," and 89% rated AI as "AI helps improve the skills of network operations personnel by automating analysis and reducing manual work. Regarding the status of IoT implementation, 58% said they have already implemented IoT, and another 34% said they plan to invest in IoT in the future.

While companies recognize the benefits of 5G for use in AI and IoT, barriers to implementation are also becoming apparent. 52% of companies cited the cost of building and maintaining a network as a challenge, and 46% of respondents cited the complexity of hardware updates.

Camille Campbell of Ericsson emphasized that 5G is key to supporting the deployment of AI and IoT, and that comprehensive 5G WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) and private 5G solutions are built to support AI and IoT technologies that require fast, scalable, and secure data transfer. He emphasized that 5G will be indispensable for companies to prepare for future digital transformation.

Materials

• U.S. businesses cite 5G as "critical" for the use of AI
• Ericsson: Private 5G will help unlock AI and IoT
• Ericsson: 5G and AI form the backbone of the future enterprise