UK businesses are most concerned about the susceptibility of 5G to cyber-attacks, according to EY’s latest technology, media and telecommunications research.
The survey of 200 UK businesses looked at attitudes towards the adoption of 5G and IoT technology as well as organisations’ expectations from tech suppliers.
Forty per cent of respondents are worried about 5G and cyber-attacks while a similar percentage (37 per cent) were cautious over the security of Internet of Things connectivity. The survey also found that while 5G investment is set to catch-up with IoT spend over the next two years, doubts surround its readiness and relevance.
Just over one third of respondents feared that 5G is too immature, while 32 per cent believe it lacked relevance to overall technology and business strategy.
Adrian Baschnonga, global lead telecommunications analyst at EY, said: “It’s not surprising that businesses are most concerned with the threat of cyber-attacks.
“The introduction of 5G will help organisations unlock new growth opportunities, but this transition comes at a time when fears regarding data breaches and network security are especially pronounced.
“Our survey also shows that 5G has an image problem. The challenge for technology and service providers is to position 5G as much more than just a faster mobile connection, but instead a driver of strategic change and a critical enabler for a variety of new services.”
However half of the businesses surveyed are planning to invest in 5G technology over the next two years and an additional nine per cent are currently investing.
In comparison, nearly a third of a businesses surveyed (27 per cent) had already adopted IoT technology and 33 per cent were planning to invest over the next two years.
Praveen Shankar, EY’s head of technology, media and telecommunications for the UK & Ireland, said: “5G is much more than just a ‘plain vanilla’ upgrade in speed, capacity and latency.
“It represents a huge opportunity for TMT providers to tap into new demand scenarios and build stronger relationships with their customers.
“Telecommunications and technology companies need to move beyond the supplier mindset to more of a partnership.”