IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Enterprise Connectivity 2025 Predictions

IDC FutureScape Figure

• Figure: IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Enterprise Connectivity 2025 Top 10 Predictions

Executive Summary

IDC FutureScape Predictions

• Summary of External Drivers

• Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers

• Prediction 1: By 2026, 75% of Enterprises Will Implement AI-Enabled Cloud Communications APIs for Seamless Employee and Customer Engagement Driving Personalized Marketing and Revenue Growth Opportunities

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 2: By 2028, 70% of Enterprises Will Leverage LEO Satellite Connectivity to Complement Cellular Coverage Increasing Resiliency by Creating a Unified Digital Enterprise Service Fabric

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 3: By 2028, Over 70% of Enterprises Will Take Advantage of Cellular IoT Applications, as Multi-IMSI SIMs and eUICC solutions, NB-IoT, and 5G Evolution Drive Adoption of Mission-Critical Business Use Cases

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 4: By 2026, 90% of Enterprises Will Integrate Generative AI into Their Connectivity Strategy to Bolster Network Integrity, Optimize Network Security, and Create More Personalized Employee Experiences

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 5: By 2027, 70% of Enterprises Will Adopt Cloud-Native Networking for Digital and AI Workflows Across on Premises, Edge, and Multicloud, Amplifying Cloud Providers' Role as End-to-End Connectivity Suppliers

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 6: By 2027, 45% of Enterprises Will Enhance Edge Computing Use Cases with Contextual Experience, Aided with GenAI, Further Aligning Business Outcomes with Customer Expectations and Usability

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 7: By 2026, 60% of Enterprises Will Benefit from Enhanced Edge Security, AI-Enabled Automation, and Optimized Operational Efficiency by Applying "as-a-Service Models" to SD-WAN and Security

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 8: By 2028, 50% of Today's Network Engineering and Operational Tasks Will Be Eliminated — or Reduced to Minor Responsibilities — by AI-Powered on-Premises Networking Systems and Public Network Services

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 9: By 2027, 65% of Network Consulting Engagements for Datacenter Networking Will Surround Architectural Design and Testing to Support Complex AI and GenAI GPU Connections Prior to Full Deployment

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

• Prediction 10: By 2027, 75% of Enterprises Will Leverage Service Provider AI and Telemetry Expertise to Accelerate Adoption and Automation of ESG Use Cases That Improve Efficiency and Ensure Regulatory Compliance

• Associated Drivers

• IT Impact

• Business Impact

• Guidance

Advice for Technology Buyers

External Drivers: Detail

• AI-Driven Business Models — Moving from AI Experimentation to Monetization

• The Drive to Automate — Toward a Data-Driven Future

• Future Proofing Against Environmental Risks — ESG Operationalization and Risk Management

• AI-Driven Workplace Transformation — Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today

• Expanding Digital Security Frontiers — Fortification Against Multiplying Threats

• Responsible and Human-Centric Technology — Ethics in the Enterprise

• Battling Against Technical Debt — Overcoming Hurdles to IT Modernization

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• Related Research