How Will 5G Wireless WAN, Wi-Fi and Private Cellular Work Together? Extreme Connect 2023 Customers Put Cohesion on Center Stage
This guest blog post was authored by Cradlepoint.
As an Extreme Networks ecosystem partner, Cradlepoint was honored to be a part of Extreme Connect 2023, their annual user event that brings together customers, partners, analysts, tech experts, and executives.
A year ago Extreme Connect customers weighed in on 5G and Wi-Fi. What is their view today? Here are key takeaways from discussions at Extreme Connect 2023:
1. 5G Revolution is Global
This year’s event was in Berlin, Germany, which provided a good opportunity to get a pulse on 5G outside North America. While several factors influence business 5G adoption, such as network availability and pricing, it is clear 5G is top of mind for all businesses around the globe. Many EMEA and APAC organizations spoke to how they’ve incorporated 5G into their wide-area networks (WAN) to enhance network resiliency or deliver instant connectivity at new sites. This is consistent with the State of Connectivity report, where Cradlepoint surveyed technology decision makers about the impact that improved networks can have on business and society as a whole.
2. 5G and Wi-Fi Complement Each Other
Businesses continue to embrace new wireless technologies both on the LAN and WAN. Whether Wi-Fi or cellular, the appetite for mobile solutions continues unabated. We heard how organizations are upgrading to Wi-Fi 6/6E within their campus environment and 5G for Wireless WAN (WWAN), and how cellular is helping extend Wi-Fi to more mobile and IoT locations. For example, businesses leverage 5G routers in vehicles to provide Wi-Fi, making it possible for first responders and fleets to connect their business-critical devices and applications.
3. Cellular Private Networking comes of age
A key difference from a year ago was the interest and uptake in private 5G and LTE solutions. Last year, private networking was in its infancy; today businesses are embracing it for specific use cases. Businesses spoke to their connectivity challenges in certain environments such as manufacturing, where high load, low-latency, mobility, and outdoor requirements is placing heavy demands on the network. We heard how the networks of tomorrow will harness both Wi-Fi and private cellular to support business-critical applications and devices, with solutions tailored to carpeted enterprise and industrial environments.
4. Ecosystem is critical
With organizations embracing a wide range of exciting new technologies — Wi-Fi 6, 5G, private cellular, edge computing, and more — a strong technology ecosystem has never been more important. Extreme Fabric customers spoke to the value and opportunity of the Cradlepoint / Extreme partnership, and our joint solution that extends Extreme Fabric automation capabilities over Cradlepoint WWAN. Businesses want reassurance that the integrated solution is tested so they can deploy with ease and confidence.
5. Connectivity is the common denominator
Every customer conversation at Extreme Connect touched on the importance of ubiquitous, reliable, and robust connectivity, affirming IDC’s Future of Connectedness research that speaks to how the future enterprise must address unevenness in connectivity across different environments and locations. Robust connectivity and network uptime is the #1 factor for success, as underscored by Motor City Wash Works, a Cradlepoint / Extreme customer and 2022 IDC Future of Connectedness award winner.
In summary, Extreme Connect 2023 highlighted how rapidly enterprise environments are changing, the important role of 5G and private networking, and how the Cradlepoint / Extreme partnership is helping organizations pave the way to the future.
