In an enlightening interview with Deere’s senior architect Jason Wallin, we learn how AI workloads are increasingly mobile, data‑intensive and time‑sensitive — driving the need for robust private 5G infrastructure. Wallin argues that industrial AI and private 5G are mutually reinforcing in the Industry 4.0 era — AI enables smarter, more efficient factory operations, while private 5G delivers the reliable, low-latency connectivity those applications require. He highlights real-world AI deployments already running on factory floors, from quality control and predictive maintenance to process optimization, and points toward the emerging role of AI retrieval-augmented (RAG) assistants in industrial settings. Read the full interview for more.

Meanwhile, in the latest episode of Unmuted, Michael Zeto of Boingo Wireless highlights a different kind of connectivity revolution at Hollywood Burbank Airport. By treating networks as both a utility and a business enabler, airports, stadiums, campuses, and military bases are rethinking how converged networks drive operations, experiences, and new revenue streams. Connectivity is becoming more strategic than ever.

This trend isn’t limited to individual sites — it’s reflected globally. Across OECD nations, fiber and 5G are reshaping digital infrastructure, driving data use, industrial IoT, and more affordable access. As markets mature, the focus is shifting from simply providing coverage to ensuring network quality, reliability, and resilience.

Taken together, these examples suggest a clear lesson for operators everywhere: future competitiveness will come not from sheer reach, but from the ability to deliver intelligent, high-performing networks that enable complex applications — whether AI on the factory floor, converged networks at airports, or expansive European infrastructure. Connectivity is evolving from a utility into a strategic differentiator, unlocking new business models, operational insights, and competitive advantage.

Happy Monday 🙂