Ciena study explores CSPs’ AI views and strategies

A global study commissioned recently by Ciena shows that communications service providers (CSPs) hold optimistic views on AI.

Ciena’s study, conducted in collaboration with Censuswide, surveyed more than 1,500 telecom and IT engineers and managers in 17 countries. 99% of respondents believe they will need to upgrade fiber-optic networks to support more AI traffic.

Of the engineers surveyed, more than half believe AI implementation will improve network operational efficiency by 40% or more, and 85% of respondents have confidence in the ability of CSPs to monetize AI traffic across networks.

Ciena’s international chief technology officer, Jürgen Hatheier, said in a press release, “Understanding emerging technologies like AI is an essential step toward staying competitive in today’s constantly changing digital landscape. The survey highlights the optimistic long-term outlook of CSPs regarding AI’s ability to enhance the network as well as the need for strategic planning and investments in infrastructure and expertise to fully realize the benefits.”

Other selected survey results include:

• Respondents believe that the financial services (46%), media and entertainment (43%), and manufacturing (38%) sectors will generate the most AI traffic and revenue opportunities.
• For AI services, 43% of CSPs favor private cloud deployment, 37% favor public cloud data centers, and 21% plan to deploy a hybrid cloud model.
• 95% of CSPs in India are confident that AI can be successfully monetized, while only 55% of U.S. CSPs have the same confidence. 

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