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IT Decision-Makers’ Insights and Preferences
28-Aug-2025
Global
Customer Research
KB8F-01-00-00-00
TE_2025_33755
This global survey, conducted annually by Frost & Sullivan’s ICT practice, captures customer insights and preferences regarding network technologies and related services. The 2025 edition spans 19 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, with 16% of respondents from the United States. To ensure data relevance, participants completed screening questions before qualifying. The survey is structured into multiple sections, each targeting specific aspects of network technology adoption and usage.
A key focus of the survey is the adoption of SD-WAN, which, despite being introduced in 2014, continues to present growth opportunities as businesses pursue digital transformation and demand intelligent, software-defined connectivity. Security has emerged as a top use case—especially for remote locations—underscoring SD-WAN’s role in enhancing user experience and application performance. Interestingly, cost savings were not the primary driver for adoption, yet 82% of those citing it reported savings between 5% and 29%.
The survey also highlights a preference for managed security service providers and managed service providers over traditional network service providers in deploying secure access service edge (SASE) solutions.
Author: Stephen Thomas
Respondent Profile
Key Findings
Why Invest in Technology?
What Applications Are Most Used?
SD-WAN Adoption and Growth Prospects
Top Challenges in SD-WAN Deployment
Top Benefits of SD-WAN Deployments
SD-WAN Barriers
SD-WAN Deployment Reduces WAN Expenditure
In Use and Planned SD-WAN Sites
Top Reasons for SD-WAN Vendor Preference
SASE Adoption Trend
Key Reasons For SASE Deployment
Challenges in SASE Deployment
SASE Implementation Partner
SASE Components
Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?
The Strategic Imperative 8™
Benefits and Impacts of Growth Opportunities
Next Steps
List of Exhibits
Legal Disclaimer
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A key focus of the survey is the adoption of SD-WAN, which, despite being introduced in 2014, continues to present growth opportunities as businesses pursue digital transformation and demand intelligent, software-defined connectivity. Security has emerged as a top use case—especially for remote locations—underscoring SD-WAN’s role in enhancing user experience and application performance. Interestingly, cost savings were not the primary driver for adoption, yet 82% of those citing it reported savings between 5% and 29%.
The survey also highlights a preference for managed security service providers and managed service providers over traditional network service providers in deploying secure access service edge (SASE) solutions.
Author: Stephen Thomas
| Deliverable Type | Customer Research |
|---|---|
| Industries | Telecom |
| No Index | No |
| Is Prebook | No |
| Keyword 1 | enterprise SD-WAN adoption |
| Keyword 2 | secure access service edge |
| Keyword 3 | cloud security platforms |
| Podcast | No |
| Predecessor | K962-01-00-00-00 |
| WIP Number | KB8F-01-00-00-00 |