Private and fixed wireless are hot technologies for Verizon Business customers, Jonathan Nichols, Verizon Business' senior vice president of Global Enterprise Americas, said in an interview last week.
I met him at the company's 2024 Kickoff Innovation Sessions event in Chicago, where I was able to see a demo of these and other Verizon Business products.
private wireless
When service providers first started offering private wireless, they emphasized the security aspects of their networks. The network uses the same cellular technology as commercial wireless networks, but is dedicated to customers.
Verizon Business has found that customers also see value in other aspects of private wireless. Compared to Wi-Fi, private wireless requires fewer access points. Verizon says two private wireless access points can cover the same area as 20 Wi-Fi access points.
Business customers are also interested in private wireless because they think it's more environmentally friendly, Nichols said.
“If you use less stuff, you use less plastic, you use less electronics, you use less structured wiring,” he says. “And you get better coverage with less equipment.”
Verizon had set up a private wireless system at the event, and it was more compact and less complex than expected.
Fixed wireless for business
Nichols says how and why businesses use fixed wireless is changing. Previously used primarily to back up wired connections, businesses are increasingly using it as their primary connection. That's because Verizon's introduction of fixed wireless using the C-band spectrum offers speeds comparable to wired alternatives, he said.
Customers also like the fast installation times, and while they may once have eventually migrated to a wired connection, they often no longer do so.
“If it meets your needs, you'll stick with wireless,” Nichols said.
AI is still vague
Nichols works primarily with large enterprise clients who are very interested in AI, but as he explained, “They're still trying to figure it out. It depends on the customer.”
We hear a lot of cutting-edge use cases for AI, but one of the most popular applications for early adopters is customer service, which is less glamorous but can offer a clear return on investment.
Another demonstration of the innovation session showcased customer service products developed by Verizon in collaboration with suppliers. The service, called Verizon Business Assistant, is targeted at small businesses and is designed to get up and running quickly.
Use AI to suggest questions your customers might have and potential answers to those questions. During configuration, businesses can accept or override the recommendations.
The service costs $30 a month, and Verizon says it pays for itself by answering 10 to 15 questions a month.
Additional innovation sessions are planned for later this year in New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.
