

G2 on 5G Podcast Episode 226 - Standalone Edition - NTT DATA's Shahid Ahmed - Private 5G And More
Welcome and Introduction
- Will Townsend welcomes Shahid Ahmed, who leads NTT DATA's private 5G initiatives
- Discussion of Shahid's role in New Ventures and Innovation at NTT DATA
Private 5G Momentum in 2025
- Identification of 2025 as a pivotal year for private cellular and 5G adoption
- Three major forces driving demand: device availability, spectrum allocation, and improved economics
Device Ecosystem Development
- Progress in natively supported 5G devices for enterprises
- Impact on deployment timelines and customer readiness
Spectrum Availability Challenges
- Regulatory hurdles in spectrum allocation across different geographies
- Recent improvements in spectrum accessibility for enterprises
Economics of Private 5G
- Shift towards "Wi-Fi economics" for private 5G deployments
- Cost comparisons between Wi-Fi and 5G implementations in large-scale environments
Edge AI and Agentic AI in 5G Networks
- Distinction between Edge AI and large language models
- Applications of Edge AI in manufacturing and autonomous systems
- Role of Agentic AI in business process workflows
Factory of the Future Concept
- NTT DATA's focus on enabling advanced manufacturing environments
- Integration of robotics, automation, and connectivity in dark factories
Convergence of Wireless Technologies
- Emerging integration of 5G and Wi-Fi on single radio platforms
- Implications for seamless connectivity in various settings
Security Challenges in Network Transformation
- Increased security concerns with automation and IP network integration
- Ongoing nature of security challenges in modernized infrastructures
NTT DATA's Comprehensive Service Offerings
- NTT DATA's position as a major data center service provider
- Private 5G as an entry point for broader network architecture transformation
Partnership Highlights
- Collaboration with Cisco, including ESIM integration in Meraki and Catalyst products
- Simplification of device provisioning and configuration processes