Why enterprise networks need both reach and resilience

As enterprises expand across regions, so do their cloud platforms and digital ecosystems. But with the rise of AI and its unprecedented appetite for data, networks are now under more pressure. Many businesses are learning the limits of legacy architecture the hard way. In the race to meet today’s standard of high-throughput, low-latency, and round-the-clock connectivity, IT teams are struggling to stretch their global internet networks without weakening them.

The challenge lies in breaking a familiar equation: the more networks expand, the weaker they become. Scaling high-performance connectivity often means managing a growing number of service providers, navigating inconsistency between service-level agreements (SLAs), and operating amidst increasingly fragmented oversight. Is flawless network deployment even possible, or are enterprises being sent on a wild digital goose chase?

Can network infrastructure keep up with the AI ambitions of CIOs?

As many as 75% of CIOs are actively working on AI applications, according to Foundry’s 2025 State of the CIO report, with research and implementation of AI products topping this year’s list of leadership priorities. Whether in driving revenue, boosting operational efficiency, or reimaging customer experiences, the expectation is for AI to deliver across the board.

But unlocking the said potential requires more than plugging in the latest AI model. Even the most sophisticated algorithm can’t output without being fed a critical mass of data. Doing so will require infrastructure robust enough to deliver not only uninterrupted data streams, but to do so securely across borders and clouds that stretch thousands of kilometres.

The hidden costs of legacy network infrastructure

While sufficient for day-to-day operations, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) and broadband internet were never designed to meet the demands of globally scaled, AI-powered enterprises. And this is costing businesses dearly.

A Fivetran report revealed that 68% of organisations without proper data centralisation strategies have lost revenue due to failed or underperforming AI initiatives[1]. Indeed, IT teams are often left to navigate the entanglements between internet service providers (ISPs) in the dark, with each organisation having its unique mix of contracts, support tiers, and billing systems.

Best-effort delivery models, limited network visibility, and a lack of performance guarantees characteristic of traditional internet led to the inevitable yet inexplicable latency spikes, network outages, and erratic app responsiveness that businesses have become painfully familiar with. But it is these very flaws that derail AI transformation initiatives before they even start.

“Businesses often underestimate the complexity of using the public internet as a global enterprise network. Performance may be acceptable in-country, but once your data starts crossing borders or connecting to international cloud platforms, the lack of end-to-end control and predictability becomes a real operational barrier.” Hon Kit Lam, Vice President, Hybrid Connectivity Services, Tata Communications

Compounding the challenges is the absence of unified global service standards, making it nearly impossible for IT teams to maintain consistent visibility, governance, or user experience across regions. What started as a cost-efficient, internet-first strategy quickly became a bottleneck, undermining the very transformation it was meant to enable.

Building a smarter internet with predictive AI

Modern enterprises go beyond best-effort internet by harnessing the predictive capabilities of AI to ensure end-to-end reliability around the clock. New models such as IZO™ Internet WAN by Tata Communications have begun offering programmable, high-availability internet backbones built for businesses.

In a world first, IZO™ Internet WAN combines a diverse range of access types—including dedicated access, broadband, 4G/5G, and LEO satellite connectivity—across over 150 countries to deliver consistent performance, intelligent traffic routing, and seamless global coverage, even in remote or underserved regions.

This empowers enterprises such as DNV, an independent expert in risk management and recognised advisor to the maritime and oil and gas industries, to address challenges such as enabling secure and cost-effective access to worldwide corporate services.

“With over 15,000 employees across 325 offices and 100 countries, DNV wanted a secure and high-performance network to streamline its global operations. We addressed that through a hybrid of IZO™ Internet WAN with Global VPN links and Managed Security Services. Our global network management freed them to focus on their core business and improve their employees’ efficiency and effectiveness. Meanwhile, the high availability of our network enables them to enhance their customer experience,” Lam concluded.

In the era of AI-driven enterprise, intelligent connectivity is no longer a mere IT concern but a core business differentiator.

Speak with an expert to learn how IZO™ Internet WAN can benefit your business.