Cisco Releases State of Wireless Report

Cisco released its inaugural State of Wireless Report on April 2, 2026, revealing that Wi-Fi has become a strategic growth engine for enterprises. The report, based on a survey of over 6,000 global wireless professionals conducted by Sandpiper Research & Insights, emphasizes that strategic wireless investments, particularly those integrating AI-driven automation and modern security, lead to significantly higher business value and ROI. It addresses the 'wireless AI paradox,' where AI drives ROI but also operational complexity and security risks. The report provides a roadmap to navigate these challenges, suggesting that organizations adopting a holistic approach are four times more likely to achieve strong returns. Key findings include increased wireless spending, positive revenue impacts, and the acceleration of network upgrades to Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. Anurag Dhingra of Cisco highlighted AI as both an opportunity and a test for enterprise networks.