Nokia Study Reveals Surge of ROI and AI-Enabled Use Cases with On-Premise Edge and Private Wireless

A Nokia study found that 87% of enterprises adopting private wireless and on-premise edge technology saw a return on investment in one year, with 81% reporting lower setup costs and 86% reporting reduced ongoing costs. Additionally, 94% of industrial enterprises deployed edge with private wireless to support AI-driven applications, resulting in a 41% decrease in carbon emissions and 89% energy savings. Connected worker technologies, such as automated alarms and AI-assisted monitoring, were also deployed by 71% of surveyed companies to reduce accidents and strengthen worker safety.

A recent study conducted by Nokia, in collaboration with GlobalData, has revealed significant returns on investment (ROI) and sustainability gains for enterprises adopting private wireless and on-premise edge technology. The 2025 Industrial Digitalization Report, released on September 1, 2025, provides insights into the transformative impact of these technologies on industrial operations.

The report highlights that 87% of enterprises adopting private wireless and on-premise edge technology saw a return on investment within one year. This rapid ROI is driven by lower setup costs, with 81% of enterprises reporting costs lower than other options, and reduced ongoing costs, experienced by 86% of companies. The study also found that 94% of industrial enterprises deployed edge technology with private wireless to support AI-driven applications, with 70% of these enterprises using it for use cases such as predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring.

The environmental benefits of these technologies are substantial. 94% of industrial enterprises reported a reduction in carbon emissions, with 41% achieving decreases of more than 20%, and 89% seeing energy savings. These gains are amplified by predictive maintenance, connected devices, and drones that cut fuel-intensive travel and enable more accurate, real-time emissions tracking.

Beyond environmental impact, 71% of surveyed companies are actively deploying connected worker tools such as automated alarms, AI-assisted monitoring, and geofencing solutions to reduce accidents and strengthen worker safety. These technologies streamline tasks, reduce paperwork, and minimize human error, boosting efficiency on-site and automation.

Cybersecurity remains a top priority, with 57% of respondents identifying it as a driver for deploying an Industrial Edge platform powered by a Private Wireless network. Private wireless solutions offer built-in encryption, physical network separation, and compatibility with zero-trust frameworks, making them ideal for mission-critical infrastructure while maintaining business continuity and compliance.

The report underscores the growing demand for private wireless networks, with GlobalData forecasting the global market to nearly double to US$8 billion by 2027. This reflects the increasing pressure on industries to modernize and meet global sustainability and efficiency goals.

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nokia-study-reveals-surge-roi-070000298.html
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/europe-hvo-data-center-backup-145500082.html