Connectivity Emerges as Critical National Infrastructure, Ericsson–McKinsey Say
The discussion focused on how connectivity has evolved into a strategic national asset, driven by the convergence of 5G, artificial intelligence, and edge computing.
A recent fireside chat connecting Dubai and Amsterdam brought together Iwan Stella, Head of Strategy and Commercial Management at Ericsson EMEA, and Ferry Grijpink, Partner at McKinsey & Company, to examine the forces reshaping global telecommunications and digital infrastructure. The discussion focused on how connectivity has evolved into a strategic national asset, driven by the convergence of 5G, artificial intelligence, and edge computing.
The speakers underscored that recent global disruptions, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed the true value of robust digital networks. As economies, education systems, and social interactions shifted online almost overnight, countries with resilient connectivity adapted more effectively, while those with weaker networks faced significant disruption. This period reinforced the view that telecom networks are no longer optional utilities but essential infrastructure for national resilience, economic competitiveness, and social continuity.
Attention then turned to the evolution of 5G. While early deployments focused on capacity expansion and fixed wireless access, the technology is now entering a more transformative phase. The next stage centers on enabling real-time, intelligent, and high-performance applications such as autonomous vehicles and drones, large-scale industrial automation, and continuous communication between AI-driven systems. To unlock this value, operators were encouraged to accelerate investment in standalone 5G, network slicing, open APIs, and edge computing, which together form the basis for sustainable monetization and innovation.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a key catalyst for operational transformation within the telecom sector. AI-driven automation, intent-based networking, and advanced orchestration are expected to improve service quality, reduce complexity, and support faster innovation cycles. However, the speakers noted that realizing these benefits will require workforce upskilling, cultural change, and realistic expectations about AI’s current capabilities. Near-term gains are most evident in network operations centers and network optimization, where AI can already deliver measurable value.
The conversation also addressed growing geopolitical and strategic considerations. As global fragmentation increases, many countries are reassessing digital infrastructure through the lenses of sovereignty, security, and resilience. Rather than full localization, this approach emphasizes redundancy, secure supply chains, local fallback capabilities, and strong cybersecurity frameworks. Regional collaboration, rather than isolated national strategies, was highlighted as critical to maintaining efficiency and scale.
Despite these complexities, the outlook presented was strongly positive. With maturing 5G technologies, expanding network APIs, and rapid advances in AI, 2026 was identified as a potential inflection point. At that stage, connectivity is expected to function as a true platform for national and industrial innovation, supporting advances in education, healthcare, industry, and rural inclusion, while unlocking new levels of productivity and human potential.
