Unlocking the True Value: Key Priorities for Indian Enterprises in the 5G Era

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Jophy Varghese, APAC Head – SI & Country Manager – India Enterprise at Verizon

1. Enterprise 5G trends worldwide including Asia/India – APAC standing in global market/India standing in APAC market.

Ans: According to a recent study, APAC is set to become one of the largest 5G markets worldwide by 2025 Advanced countries in the APAC region, such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, are witnessing a notable surge in private 5G adoption. This uptick aligns with the increased digitalization observed in both governmental and business sectors within these nations. With the advent of Industry 4.0 and the increasing preparedness and maturity of the technology ecosystem, there is also noticeable growth in private 5G activity in other APAC nations, such as India. The government’s efforts to allocate spectrum, modify regulations, and encourage telecom companies to invest in 5G networks will be crucial.

Simultaneously, partnerships and collaborations are being formed by telecom operators, system integrators, technology operators, and other stakeholders in order to accelerate the rollout of Enterprise 5G in many nations. The sector is expected to witness the introduction of 5G Advanced in the upcoming years, along with a rise in the number of monetizable 5G use cases and increased 5G investments in mid-band and mmWave bands. The increased interest in private 5G is mostly due to the availability of new 5G spectrum in these nations and the virtualization of network solutions. Achieving the vision of low-latency, fast, secure, and reliable networks necessitates effective spectrum management and a supportive environment for establishing private networks. The success of the private 5G ecosystem in the APAC region hinges on the development of robust use cases.

2. Role of system integrators (SIs) in the enterprise 5G space?

Ans: Private LTE/5G networks have emerged as the most popular option for guaranteeing lower latency, increased security, and increased dependability while more successfully supporting a larger range of use cases, as enterprises are reassessing their connectivity demands and expanding their network requirements. The future outlook for businesses looking to implement private wireless networks in a more streamlined and economical fashion has significantly improved due to the combination of several factors.

System integrators (SIs) play a vital role in assisting enterprises adopt 5G technology since they offer a range of services, including conceptualizing, strategizing, planning, implementing and operations of the 5G Networks. They have the expertise and experience to navigate the complexities of 5G technology and ensure that enterprises are getting the most out of their investments. They design and architect customized 5G solutions suited to particular enterprise requirements and handle the physical deployment of 5G infrastructure, integrating the new network with existing Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. A strategy roadmap for 5G implementation should be developed evaluating the business demands and technological feasibility.

3. Key priorities for Indian enterprises and avenues to unlock the true value of 5G

Ans: Over the past year, 5G has been rapidly deployed in India, making it one of the fastest rollouts globally. But even with this tremendous advancement, there is still a noticeable gap in the widespread adoption of private captive networks by enterprises. This shortcoming highlights an important issue of 5G deployment that demands attention. It is essential to make a significant shift in focus towards encouraging the development of private captive networks to fully realize the true value of 5G for Indian enterprises.

To harness the high-speed, low-latency capabilities of 5G, establishing a robust and extensive network infrastructure is imperative. Enterprises must clearly define business use cases for 5G, make necessary investments in infrastructure, and develop a comprehensive 5G strategy. Collaborating with technology partners, telecom providers, and industry experts becomes essential to navigate the complexities of 5G deployment successfully.

Additionally, Indian enterprises can derive maximum value from 5G by concentrating on key priorities, which allow them to offer personalized and engaging customer experiences through AR, VR, and real-time data analytics. They can also enter new markets and enable real-time data collection to streamline operations.

4. Verizon Business Group’s views on private 5G network adoption in India and its role in digital transformation

Ans: Verizon has one of the largest installed bases for private 5G applications and use case development, that contributes to our unparalleled domain expertise. Private 5G is the crucial factor that can unlock unparalleled levels of connectivity, security, and innovation, propelling India’s economic growth and societal progress. The Indian marketplace has a significant opportunity to rapidly advance and take a leading position in this transformative journey.

India offers extensive opportunities for the deployment of private 5G, given its vast manufacturing base and significant investments in smart manufacturing. Network and managed service providers like Verizon, along with application and device manufacturers, have the potential to play a role in this technological landscape. The successful implementation of private 5G networks in India depends on the collaboration of diverse stakeholders, including system integrators, government entities, and enterprises. This collaborative approach creates a robust ecosystem capable of addressing the various challenges and seizing the opportunities presented by the adoption of private 5G.

We envision a future driven by digital transformation, connectivity, and evolving customer expectations. Private 5G is poised to act as a catalyst for India’s digital transformation, ushering in a new era of connectivity, innovation, and economic prosperity.

5. How important is the APAC/India from the growth perspective?

Ans: One of the main drivers driving global growth is the APAC region. In this dynamic region, India emerges as a pivotal growth driver, propelled by rapidly expanding tech and telecom sector and a firm commitment to digital transformation. Over the years, India has consistently played a significant role in our overall business expansion. With nearly two decades of presence in the country, we have experienced substantial growth, recognizing it as a key market within the APAC landscape.

Specifically, the market’s dynamic nature and the changing needs of businesses are reflected in the demand for our services in the APAC area, including India. The area’s rising emphasis on digital transformation and reliance on cutting-edge technology complement Verizon’s broad suite of offerings, which includes managed network and security services.

Verizon and major APAC system integrators have strategic alliances. Asia’s system integrators are essential to the global digital transformation of enterprises since they enable them to adopt new technology. This entails making large investments in R&D, innovative laboratories, and emerging technologies in addition to implementing solutions for cloud migration, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, IoT and Enterprise 5G into practice. Verizon has developed tailored solutions for specific industries, enabling SIs to tackle the distinct and intricate challenges prevalent in sectors like healthcare, retail, finance, and manufacturing. Collaborating with key SIs, Verizon has established innovation labs to maintain a leading position in the swiftly evolving tech landscape.  Verizon’s partnerships help them access our cutting-edge technologies and also expand our service offerings, enhancing their appeal to worldwide clients seeking comprehensive solutions.

6. Verizon’s Business offerings – What are some services that are in-demand for the Indian/APAC market?

Ans: The Indian and APAC market exhibit rapid growth, diverse economies, and a burgeoning adoption of technology. Verizon Business Group has been actively present in India for nearly two decades, making it a pivotal market within the APAC region for us. Our portfolio includes a range of managed network and security services, coupled with advanced communications.

Over the years, we have observed significant expansion in two key technology domains that are reshaping the business landscape. Firstly, there is a notable surge in network transformation or network-as-a-service, driven primarily by the shift to cloud infrastructure and the increasing need for seamless remote access. Organizations are proactively reassessing their corporate network architecture to ensure it is cloud-ready, secure, and adaptable to hybrid networking. At Verizon, we are deeply engaged in supporting extensive network transformation projects for global companies, including those based in India. Secondly, the demand for cybersecurity solutions in the APAC region, including India, is experiencing a notable upswing. Verizon has witnessed substantial growth in these critical technology domains, actively collaborating with numerous companies in the region to revamp their cybersecurity architecture and effectively safeguard their essential assets

Verizon Business remains committed to continuous investment in expanding its network infrastructure, developing innovative solutions, and enhancing service offerings to meet the evolving demands of the dynamic Indian and APAC market.