WiFi 7, 5G, Fiber, Starlink: what are the network technologies of the future?
The world of connectivity is buzzing in the enterprise space. With the arrival of WiFi 7, the widespread rollout of 5G (and whispers of 6G already on the horizon), the rise of private networks, and satellite solutions like Starlink, the landscape is rich—but also complex for CIOs and IT leaders aiming to build a long-term strategy. How will these technologies evolve? Which ones best fit your organization’s needs?
Backhaul vs Local Distribution
Before diving into a forward-looking exploration of network technologies, let’s clarify a fundamental distinction that often causes confusion: the difference between backhaul and local distribution.
Backhaul refers to the infrastructure that delivers internet connectivity to your site—think fiber optics, microwave links, fixed 4G/5G connections, or satellite solutions like Starlink. Local distribution, on the other hand, involves the technologies that spread this connectivity within your premises—primarily Wi-Fi, but also wired Ethernet networks. Why is this distinction important? Because the challenges, stakeholders, and technologies involved are different.
“While fiber remains the gold standard for fixed backhaul, wireless (5G) and satellite solutions are gaining traction—especially for quickly connecting temporary sites like construction zones or events, or for reaching underserved areas. They offer a new level of flexibility. On the other hand, when it comes to internal distribution, WiFi remains, and will likely continue to be, the dominant player in the coming years. Understanding this difference is the first step toward building a coherent network strategy.”
Faster Mobile Networks—Except Indoors
The promise of 5G SA (Stand-Alone, often called “true 5G” or “5G+,” which is still rolling out in France) and eventually 6G lies in higher speeds and lower latency. To deliver these improvements, these technologies rely on increasingly higher frequency bands. But there’s a catch: the higher the frequency, the less effectively the signal can penetrate obstacles—especially the walls of modern buildings.
The consequence for businesses is clear: natural 5G/6G indoor coverage will often be underwhelming, falling short of the advertised theoretical speeds. To fully benefit from 5G indoors, companies need to invest in specific infrastructure like Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) or small cells—solutions that are costly and complex to deploy.
“WiFi will therefore remain the preferred and most reliable solution for high-performance indoor connectivity—even looking ahead to 2030.”
The Slow Rise of Private Networks
Beyond public 5G, a new trend is quietly gaining traction: private 5G. The idea is to deploy a dedicated network tailored to the specific needs of a business on a given site (such as a factory, warehouse, port, airport, or campus). This is particularly relevant for covering large areas where traditional Wi-Fi starts to show its limits (though not WiFi HaLow—but more on that later). Private 5G’s growth is supported by regulators opening up dedicated frequency bands for enterprise use, and by technologies like Open RAN, which help lower deployment costs. Open RAN works by separating hardware from software and virtualizing the network—often referred to as “network softwarization.” The goal is to break away from legacy vendor lock-in and promote innovation, competition, and flexibility in mobile network deployments.
“In practice, private 5G networks will mainly serve critical and operational use cases in industrial settings. They won’t replace WiFi for office work or guest access.”
Open Roaming: A Promising Concept Still Waiting to Scale
Who hasn’t dreamed of switching seamlessly between WiFi networks—or from mobile to WiFi—without any interruption or need to re-authenticate? That’s exactly what initiatives like Open Roaming aim to deliver. The idea is to enable secure, single sign-on authentication across multiple partner WiFi networks, often using mobile operator credentials or other identity providers. This is made possible by Passpoint, a WiFi Alliance protocol that allows mobile devices to automatically detect and connect to certified WiFi hotspots. It delivers secure, seamless connectivity in closed environments. Although the concept is appealing for improving user experience, widespread adoption has been slow. Several obstacles remain: complex business models (who pays for roaming traffic?), concerns around data privacy and security, and the fragmentation of the global ecosystem. However, in closed environments—such as retail stores—it’s likely we’ll see more automatic, secure connections through in-store mobile apps using the same Passpoint technology. This offers a practical response to the challenge of poor indoor coverage.
WiFi Will Remain the Dominant Player
Despite the rise of 5G and the upcoming 6G, WiFi isn’t going anywhere—especially when it comes to guest or customer access in businesses, stores, and public venues. One key reason is its decentralized nature. Unlike mobile networks, which are managed by a few national operators, any organization can deploy and manage its own WiFi network and captive portal. This gives companies control over access conditions, connection experience customization (via captive portals), and data collection (in compliance with GDPR). For temporary or public access, WiFi remains the most straightforward and adaptable solution—and it’s likely to stay that way for years to come.
The Growing Importance of Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSR)
Beyond technical performance, one factor will become increasingly important in network infrastructure decisions: Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSR). Companies are under growing scrutiny—and often regulatory pressure—to reduce their environmental impact. This will be reflected in RFPs through increased focus on energy consumption of equipment (Wi-Fi access points, switches, core networks) and the full product lifecycle: eco-design, durability, and recyclability.
“Choosing a technology or provider will become an act of commitment. Energy-efficient, long-lasting, low-carbon network solutions will become a competitive advantage and a key pillar of a company’s overall CSR strategy.”
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Network Management
As enterprise networks grow increasingly complex, smarter management tools will become essential. This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) comes in—often referred to as AIOps (AI for IT Operations). AI holds the promise of significantly improving network management through predictive analytics, helping anticipate failures or congestion before they impact users. Dynamic optimization will allow for real-time adjustments to radio resources (WiFi, 5G) and service quality based on actual usage and conditions. Anomaly detection will help identify suspicious behavior tied to security breaches or performance degradation. Meanwhile, automation will simplify repetitive tasks such as configuration, updates, and maintenance.
“AI won’t replace network experts, but it will empower them with powerful tools to manage increasingly complex and demanding environments—ultimately improving operational continuity and MCO (Maintien en Conditions Opérationnelles).”
A Future Built on Complementarity
The future of enterprise connectivity by 2030 won’t be defined by a single dominant technology. Instead, it will be shaped by the intelligent coexistence and complementarity of multiple options: fiber, public and private 5G/6G, Wi-Fi 6/7, and satellite solutions. The real challenge for businesses is to understand the unique characteristics of each technology and choose the right mix based on specific use cases, environments, and service level requirements. Security and sustainability (CSR) considerations must also be integrated into network strategy planning from day one.
Communications Infrastructure Programme activities
techUK brings together government, the regulator, telecom companies and stakeholders to help the UK maximise the benefits of adopting advanced communications services. We ensure our members have a clear understanding of market developments, customer requirements, and government priorities. Visit the programme page here.
Upcoming events
Latest news and insights
Learn more and get involved
Communications Infrastructure and Services updates
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Communications Infrastructure and Services programme.
Meet the team
Tales Gaspar
Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
Read lessmore
Josh Turpin
Programme Manager, Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
Read lessmore
Authors
Jean-Christophe Budin
VP of Product, Weblib
