The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming British businesses by integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and Big Data. But success in this new era hinges on one critical factor: connectivity. Full fibre networks are essential for unlocking the full potential of 4IR devices, driving new levels of productivity and innovation.
We explore how the opportunities of the 4IR are propelled by the wider adoption of full fibre connectivity in British Business.
Why is full fibre essential for the fourth industrial revolution?
The Fourth Industrial Revolution marks the interconnect of digital tools designed to bridge the physical and online worlds, fostering societal and economic advancements. These innovations include smart sensors, IoT devices, robotics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence—all leveraging Big Data to automate once time-consuming and costly processes.
At the heart of these innovations is the need to generate, process, and analyse massive amounts of data, often with the help of the Cloud.
For instance, some AI programs can execute up to 10 trillion operations per second (TeraOPS/s), allowing businesses to process millions of data points in a matter of seconds. Tasks that once took weeks can now be completed in minutes, fundamentally altering how organisations approach data analysis.
The world’s fastest AI-powered supercomputers can process the equivalent of millions of instructions per neuron in the human brain, unlocking unlimited productivity and efficiency opportunities that can cut years off product lifecycles. However, these remarkable capabilities are entirely dependent on the strength and speed of the network connection. Even a slight lag in data transfer can result in critical information loss, disrupting processes and negating the benefits of automation. This is why a full fibre infrastructure is not just advantageous—it’s essential.
The primary pillars of the fourth industrial revolution and their business benefits
Automation
Automation has revolutionised efficiency and predictability across UK businesses, leading to significant cost savings across various industries. Since 2017, JPMorgan Chase has invested in automation and AI, managing to automate the workload of 140 full-time employees, which saved the company over 360,000 hours of work.
However, automation’s full potential can only be realised with the right infrastructure in place. Fast, reliable connectivity ensures AI-driven systems can analyse data in real-time, allowing businesses to respond quickly to emerging trends and market conditions. Moreover, full fibre networks, which offer scalability, allow businesses to expand their automation solutions across multiple locations without sacrificing performance.
IoT (Internet of Things)
IoT devices provide even small and micro-businesses with unprecedented opportunities to cut costs and boost productivity by connecting everyday devices into intelligent, data-driven networks. These networks offer greater operational transparency, helping businesses identify areas for improvement and optimise performance.
For example, a manufacturing firm could link smart sensors with their assembly systems to evaluate efficiency, uncovering insights that lead to faster production and higher profits. However, IoT devices rely heavily on ultra-low latency to operate effectively, as they need instantaneous feedback to accurately process and qualify data. Full fibre connectivity ensures that these devices can transmit vast amounts of data to multiple users, whether they are on-site or working remotely. Without this capability, businesses risk losing the real-time insights needed to make mission-critical decisions.
Big Data
As businesses embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Big Data and cloud computing have become central to their operations. These opportunities allow organisations to store vast amounts of information securely and access it quickly when needed. But to manage this data efficiently, businesses need robust, high-bandwidth networks.
Full fibre networks, with symmetrical upload and download speeds, enable businesses to retrieve and analyse data in real-time, transforming raw information into actionable insights. This capability improves forecasting, enables personalised product offerings, and helps meet customer demands faster. Full fibre infrastructure is designed to handle the demands of Big Data 24/7, even during peak usage times.
Why business-grade full fibre networks?
The success of the 4IR and its associated business benefits depends on more than just fast connectivity. A true business-grade full fibre connection offers low contention, symmetrical upload/download speeds, and enhanced resilience, which are vital for maximising the potential of these revolutionary tools.
To ensure seamless 24/7 operations and enable scalability across multiple sites, businesses need a high-capacity, future-ready network that guarantees performance. The Faster Britain full fibre network is designed to elevate your AI, IoT, and Big Data initiatives, helping you stay competitive in today’s fast-evolving industrial landscape. Contact us today to future-proof your business and gain an edge in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
